Musculoskeletal Tuberculosis: A Multifaceted Foe

Abstract

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) still remains a global epidemic, and India accounts for one-fourth of the world's TB burden. The incidence of extrapulmonary TB has relatively remained constant, but with the introduction of antitumor necrosis factor, there has been a surge in pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB cases presenting to rheumatologists. Musculoskeletal TB accounts for 10 to 30% of all cases of extrapulmonary TB, with spondylitis (Pott's spine) being the most common manifestation. Manifestations mimicking autoimmune spondylitis are seen in 10% of cases. Tubercular arthritis most commonly presents with large joint monoarthritis, but oligo- or polyarticular involvement is also seen. Poncet's disease is a form of reactive arthritis occurring in patients with pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB, which is rarely seen with good response to antitubercular treatment. Quite often, there is delay in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal TB due to absence of constitutional symptoms. Treatment of musculoskeletal TB involves prolonged course of antitubercular treatment, and surgical interventions are limited to special cases.