VARANASI: The common belief is that Tuberculosis is limited only to the stomach and chest. While the fact is that TB can occur in all parts of the body except nails and hair, which is called extra pulmonary TB. When TB occurs in bones, then it is called bone TB, TB of bones or musculoskeletal TB.
“Bone TB is an infectious disease spread by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects the joints of hands, feet, elbows and wrists. Infection in other organs spreads after the bacteria reaches bones and other organs through blood and causes wounds. The wounds depend on the immunity of the person,” said Dr Saurabh Singh, professor-in-charge of the Trauma Center, Banaras Hindu University.
The cases of TB of spinal and knee joints are mainly found in North India, he said, adding that the main symptoms of bone TB are pain in the body, prolonged fever, and weight loss. Usually, it is diagnosed late as patients are not aware of bone TB. Musculoskeletal TB can occur at any age and it is very important to treat this disease on time. If delayed, the patient may become disabled.
According to the report of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) – more than 20 per cent of the total TB cases in India are of extra pulmonary TB, of which 5-10 per cent are of bone TB, explained Dr Singh. “Dr S M Tuli, who received the status of father of modern orthopaedics in the treatment of this method, has explained in detail in his book ‘Tuberculosis of Skeletal System’.
The work of realizing the dreams of Dr Tuli, who established the Orthopaedic Department and Bone Bank in the University, is now being done in the Trauma Center,” said Dr Singh. Dr Singh said that bone TB is completely curable by operation and other means.
Through a research paper, Dr Singh has also highlighted that cord decompression is one of the main treatments in tuberculous paraplegia along with favourable neurological conditions. Anterior decompression and stabilization with autologous bone grafts promotes fusion of the affected spinal segment and prevents further progression of deformity.
“Bone TB is an infectious disease spread by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects the joints of hands, feet, elbows and wrists. Infection in other organs spreads after the bacteria reaches bones and other organs through blood and causes wounds. The wounds depend on the immunity of the person,” said Dr Saurabh Singh, professor-in-charge of the Trauma Center, Banaras Hindu University.
The cases of TB of spinal and knee joints are mainly found in North India, he said, adding that the main symptoms of bone TB are pain in the body, prolonged fever, and weight loss. Usually, it is diagnosed late as patients are not aware of bone TB. Musculoskeletal TB can occur at any age and it is very important to treat this disease on time. If delayed, the patient may become disabled.
According to the report of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) – more than 20 per cent of the total TB cases in India are of extra pulmonary TB, of which 5-10 per cent are of bone TB, explained Dr Singh. “Dr S M Tuli, who received the status of father of modern orthopaedics in the treatment of this method, has explained in detail in his book ‘Tuberculosis of Skeletal System’.
The work of realizing the dreams of Dr Tuli, who established the Orthopaedic Department and Bone Bank in the University, is now being done in the Trauma Center,” said Dr Singh. Dr Singh said that bone TB is completely curable by operation and other means.
Through a research paper, Dr Singh has also highlighted that cord decompression is one of the main treatments in tuberculous paraplegia along with favourable neurological conditions. Anterior decompression and stabilization with autologous bone grafts promotes fusion of the affected spinal segment and prevents further progression of deformity.