What are the causes & symptoms of Bone Tuberculosis ?
Question:
Thankyou for your answers.
Answers:
TB of the bone is known as Osteal Tuberculosis.
Of course, the cause is mycobacterium with mycobacterium tuberculosis being the most common cause. Other causes, which are rare are mycobacterium bovis and mycobacterium africanum.
The symptoms include swelling of the joints, fever, weight loss, difficulty walking and muscle spasms. The pain usually starts in a certain spot (spine, elbow, hip or knee). The bones become weak leading to fractures and deformities. In the early stages, it can be misdiagnosed as arthritis.
Diagnosis is made by xray and lab tests on fluid aspirated from the affected joint area.
Bone tb is not contagious and is treated at home with medication. The duration of treatment will depend on the location and severity of the infection and can be anywhere from 6 months to a year.
Peripheral osteoarticular tuberculosis
Pain in affected bone or joint, with swelling of involved and restricted movements of the involved joint.
Bone marrow involvement may cause pancytopaenia.
nvestigations
CT or MRI scans of the spine if skeletal tuberculosis is suspected. Plain x-rays of spine are often unhelpful with diagnosis.
Standard TB regimen
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