Aims. Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the biggest communicable causes of mortality worldwide. While incidence in the UK has continued to fall since 2011, Bradford retains one of the highest TB rates in the UK. This study aims to examine the local disease burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) TB, by analyzing common presenting factors within the famously diverse population of Bradford. Methods. An observational study was conducted, using data from the Bradford Teaching Hospitals TB database of patients with a formal diagnosis of MSK TB between January 2005 and July 2017. Patient data included demographic data (including nationality/date of entry to the UK), disease focus, microbiology, and management strategies. Disease incidence was calculated using population data from the Office for National Statistics. Poisson confidence intervals were calculated to demonstrate the extent of statistical error. Disease incidence and nationality were also analyzed, and correlation sought, using the chi-squared test. Results. Between January 2005 and July 2017, 109 cases of MSK TB were diagnosed in Bradford. Mean incidence was 1.65 per 100,000 population, per calendar year (SD 0.75). A total of 38 cases required surgical intervention. Low rates of antimicrobial resistance were encountered. A low rate of loss to follow-up was observed (four patients; 3.7%). Overall, 94.5% of patients (n = 103) were successfully treated. 67% of patients (n = 73) reported their country of origin as either India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh. These ethnicities account for around 25% of the local population. Conclusion. Bradford maintains a high prevalence of MSK TB infection relative to national data; the prevalence within the local immigrant population remains grossly disproportionate. Typical associated factors (HIV/hepatitis coinfection, drug resistance), have only modest prevalence in our dataset. However, local socioeconomic factors such as deprivation and poverty appear germane as suggested by global literature. We advocate a high degree of suspicion in treatment of atypical infection in any area with similar population factors to ensure timely diagnosis. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(5):432–440

INTRODUCTION. Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health challenge. However, musculoskeletal involvement represents 10–15% of all extrapulmonary cases. Upper extremity involvement is extremely rare. The slow progressive course of clinical symptoms and lack of radiological signs lead to difficulties in establishing early diagnosis. Hence, the patients who have tuberculosis of the wrist are usually misdiagnosed. We report 5 cases of tuberculosis of the wrist seen in our unit from the year 2012 to 2021. METHODS. Cases were retrospectively evaluated on demographics, nature of history, clinical presentation, culture finding, and histopathological findings from 2012 to 2021 at our unit. RESULTS. A total of 5 cases were evaluated retrospectively. Three patients were more than 60 years old and two were less than 30 years old. Four of the patients presented with wrist swelling 2 of them had wrist pain and only 1 patient had discharge from the wound. The duration of the symptoms ranges from 2 months to 3 years. Only one of the patients had a history of pulmonary TB contact whereas the others didn't. All patients underwent surgery. All of the patients had positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and histopathological examination showed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation from specimens taken intraoperatively, which confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis of the wrist. DISCUSSIONS. Our cases show that the common presentation of tuberculosis of the wrist was comparable to other literature. Most of the patients presented with chronic wrist swelling with or without wrist pain. The diagnosis of the disease was delayed an average of 10 - 12 months from symptoms onset to diagnosis. S. Bayram et al reported a case where the diagnosis was made 45 months later. Due to its rarity, it often is misdiagnosed, resulting in delays in the proper treatment. CONCLUSION. The diagnosis of the TB wrist remains difficult because of insidious and non-specific. presentation. However, early diagnosis is essential to avoid delays in treatment and complications. Hence, chronic wrist pain, and swelling with or without unexplained bone erosion around the wrist area must be highly suspected of being osteoarticular tuberculosis

Aim. Extraspinal osteoarticular tuberculosis (TOA-ER) is a rare form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. It remains a topical problem not only in underdeveloped countries but also in developed countries due to cases of immune deficiency. Through a study of 40 cases, we specify the current diagnostic aspects of TOA-ER and detail their therapeutic and evolutionary modalities. Method. The mean age of our patients was 40 years with a clear predominance of females observed (SR = 0.66). 76.31% of the cases were from a rural setting. The impairment was single-focal in 72.5%. Associated tuberculosis location was found in 59% of cases. Pain and swelling were the main clinical symptoms. Signs of tuberculous impregnation were found in less than half of the cases. The IDR was positive in 67%. All patients underwent an appropriate radiological exploration consisting of a standard x-ray (30 cases), CT (21 cases) and MRI (23 cases). technetium-99m bone scintigraphy, performed in 15 cases, detected 5 infra-clinical osteoarticular locations. 77.5% of patients had formal pathological and / or bacteriological confirmation of the diagnosis. All patients had adequate anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy with a mean duration of 18 months. 67% of patients had a surgical debridement procedure. Results. After a mean follow-up of 5 years, the outcome was favourable in 75.2% of cases. A microbiological cure at the cost of serious functional sequelae was noted in 12.8% of cases. The outcome was unfavourable with relapse observed in 4.8% of cases and death in 7.2% of cases. Conclusions. Extraspinal osteoarticular tuberculosis is a fairly common condition in our country. Its insidious clinical course is the cause of diagnostic and therapeutic delay. Its treatment is mainly medical. The surgery keeps some indications. Good therapeutic adherence and early diagnosis are the best guarantees of good therapeutic results

Aim. At our tertiary orthopaedic centre, mycobacterial cultures are routinely performed on bone and joint samples sent for bacterial culture. We have previously described the prevalence Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) in these samples. Here, we describe the prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). We calculate the number needed to test to identify one previously undiagnosed mycobacterial bone or joint infection. Methods. Samples taken during a single procedure were pooled in one BACTEC MGIT culture. From laboratory records, we ascertained the number of mycobacterial cultures performed, the number positive for MTBC or NTM, and characteristics of individuals from whom mycobacteria were isolated. We collected the same data from 100 individuals with negative mycobacterial cultures. Results presented here are from interim analysis. Results. Excluding sample types that were clearly not bone or joint samples, 6162 mycobacterial cultures were performed between 4 July 2017 and 30 September 2022. Twenty-two patients had MTBC and 6 patients had NTM newly isolated from bone or joint samples placed in mycobacterial culture, with a further patient having both M. tuberculosis and M. avium isolated. In both patients with M. abscessus, the organism also grew in routine bacterial cultures. In one further patient, M. fortuitum was isolated from a sample not put into mycobacterial culture. To identify one new mycobacterial infection of bone or joint (MTBC or NTM) that would not be detected with routine bacterial cultures, 228 (95% CI 157 – 346) mycobacterial cultures were needed. The laboratory cost per additional patient identified using MGIT cultures was €12,540 (95% CI €8,635 - €19,030). Mycobacterial cultures were much less likely to be positive in samples taken from prosthetic joints. They were more likely to be positive in spinal samples and in samples taken from patients with suspected sarcoma. In patients for whom we had contemporaneous histological specimens, these demonstrated granulomatous inflammation in 86% (18/21) of patients from whom MTBC had been isolated but in neither of the two patients from whom only NTM was isolated. Ascertaining the clinical significance of NTM isolates is challenging, although in 2/8 cases the same organism was isolated following repeat sampling. Conclusions. Targeted rather than routine mycobacterial culture of bone and joint specimens should be considered in settings with a low burden of tuberculosis. NTM are rarely isolated from bone and joint specimens at our centre and fast growers may be isolated using routine bacterial culture

Bone localization of tuberculosis mainly affects the thoracolumbar spine. The cervical spine is rare. Its diagnosis is often late which exposes to great instability and potentially serious complications. We reported the case of a patient with cervical spine tuberculosis with a rare localisation. A 10-years old boy with no medical history, showed torticolis and high temperature without neurological complication. In the physical examination, he had torticolis and pain in the third, forth and fifth cervical vertebra. The biology showed high CRP 200mg/l. The tomodensitometry of the cervical spine showed a collection of the third cervical spine. The patient took non specific Antibiotics for two months with no radiological improvement. When biopsy was performed, we find an inter apophysis (between C3 and C4) collection. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of apophysis tuberculosis. The cervical spine is a rare localisation of the tuberculosis. The apophysis localisation is a more uncommon localisation. The diagnosis is difficult. The histological examination is essential for the diagnosis. The management based on tuberculosis chemotherapy and immobilization started as soon as possible

In the knee, involvement is mainly synovial, with local extension eroding the bone. Pure tuberculous osteitis is rare, with a few occasional reports. Patella tuberculosis is extremely rare. We report the case of patella tuberculosis with 7-years decline. A 10-years old boy suffered from knee siftness and pain. The patient had correct BCG vaccination. Clinical examination was relatively unrevealing, with tenderness on palpation of the medial joint surface of the patella, patellar crepitation, and slight effusion. On standard X-ray, the lateral view showed a circumferential rosette form with a light peripheral halo. The patient underwent open surgery with a medial parapatellar approach and arthrotomy. Joint fluid was sampled. Direct exploration of the medial side of the patella found soft but continuous cartilage on palpation. The histoligical examination confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The patient had 12 month anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. After 7 years of the treatement, the patient had no recurrence and good clinical result. Bone tuberculosis remains difficult to diagnose. Certain locations should always be borne in mind, however rare, in case of pandemic or immunodeficiency. In case of osteolysis, associated with abscess or not, infectious etiology is to be considered and appropriate samples should be taken. Diagnosis is confirmed by histology and bacteriology. The slow evolution of bone tuberculosis requires local treatment of lesions and abscesses. Antibiotherapy regularly ensures recovery

Background. The discussion over the duration, type of therapy and regimen to be used in osteoarticular tuberculosis is losing importance in all orthopaedic gathering. Still little consensus is there over the universality of a treatment regime for osteoarticular tuberculosis. Material and Method. 340 new cases of osteoarticular tuberculosis were included in the study that were medically treated in the department of orthopaedics in a tertiary care center between 2001 and 2011. Out of which 202 cases were of spinal tuberculosis and 138 cases of extraspinal tuberculosis. 88 cases of spinal tuberculosis were treated by conventional method and 114 cases by short course chemotherapy. 60 cases of extraarticular tuberculosis were treated by conventional chemotherapy and 78 cases by short course and intermittent therapy. Results. All cases were evaluated on clinical, radiological and haematological basis. Cases who received conventional therapy received 18–24 months of treatment irrespective to the clinical, radiological and haematological parameters. Whereas those who received short course (2HRZE+4 HR) and intermittent therapy (DOTS) were evaluated for clinical improvement. Maximum follow up was of 12.8 years (conventional) minimum follow of 8 years (intermittent). The trend of fall in ESR, clinical and radiological parameters showed improvement beyond 2 years of initiation of treatment in cases that had stopped treatment at 6 months. But the improvement was slow after six months even in cases who received 24 months of chemotherapy. There were no relapses in all the three groups. Conclusion. This study reinforces that chemotherapy tailored to the response of treatment (6-9months) is the rational therapy. This study gives an insight over the evolution of different regimes as well as gives an understanding of the clinical treatment. Level of Evidence. Level 1. No relevant financial disclosures or conflicts of interest from any of the authors

After tuberculosis of the spine, hip and knee, tuberculosis of the foot and ankle is the most common occurring area of skeletal tuberculosis seen in our unit. We retrospectively reviewed 14 patients (14 feet and/or ankles) seen over the 16-year period 1982 to 1997. The average age of the children was 5.2 years (range 1.5 to 11 years). The duration of symptoms ranged from 1 week to 1 year. The most common presentation was swelling and pain of the involved joint, but three patients each presented with a chronic discharging sinus after being drained elsewhere as an acute abscess. Radiographs revealed osteo-penia with or without lytic areas, joint margin destruction or joint space narrowing. The average sedimentation rate (ESR) was 52.3 mm/hour (range 9 to 120). The Mantoux test was positive in 13 out of the 14 patients. Chest x-rays demonstrated latent or active tuberculosis in 50% of patients. Open biopsy was performed in all patients. Hypertrophic synovium was found in all cases except one, where atrophic tuberculosis with joint space narrowing was present. A positive diagnosis of tuberculosis was made in all cases, either by demonstrating caseating granulomatous tissue on histology, or by growing a positive culture for mycobacterium tuberculosis or both. Histology was positive in 86%, acid-fast bacteria were seen in 28.5% and a positive culture was obtained in 82% of the patients. At an average follow up of 7.4 years (range 1 to 17 years) all patients were assessed both clinically and radiologically. Patients with lytic lesions and destruction of joint margins reconstituted well radiologically, had a good clinical outcome with a good range of movement of the affected joint, however the one patient with atrophic tuberculosis remained with a narrowed joint space, stiffness and a poor clinical result compared to the rest

We retrospectively reviewed 52 children treated for tuberculosis of the knee in the 21-year period 1979 to 1999. The mean age at which the condition was diagnosed was 5.3 years (8 months to 13 years). The median duration of symptoms was four weeks (1 month to 3 years). All patients presented with swelling, mainly owing to synovitis. Pain was a symptom in only two thirds of patients. Using Kerri and Martini’s classification of radiological appearances, 33 knees were stage I (osteopoenia), 15 stage II (osteopoenia with erosions), two stage III (joint space narrowing) and two stage IV (joint space narrowing with anatomical disorganisation). All knees had either positive histology (caseating granuloma) and/or a positive culture for tuberculosis. Treatment was with rifampicin, isoniazide and pyrazinamide for nine months. No synovectomy was done. Of the 48 knees with stage-I and stage-II disease, 22 were immobilised for at least three months and 26 actively mobilised. At a mean follow-up of five years (2 to 16 years), the results were classified according to Wilkinson. All stage-I and stage-II knees had an excellent result (full range of motion) or good result (more than 90° of flexion). Stage-III and stage-IV knees had a fair result (less than 30°of flexion) or poor result (ankylosis). In stage-I and stage-II knees, immobilisation did not affect outcome. In the same period, 25 knees with a non-specific histology and negative culture presented the problem of the differential diagnosis between tuberculosis and particular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Of these 17 were subsequently diagnosed as JRA. A histological study assessed the value of synovial lining (SLC) hyperplasia. The sensitivity of SLC hyperplasia for JRA was only 53%. Synovial biopsies from 10 joints with tuberculosis (positive histology or culture) were subjected to the polymerase chain reaction test. The sensitivity was only 40% for tuberculosis

Introduction and Aims: Solitary osseous lesions of tuberculosis are uncommonly reported in children. Historically, bone lesions were predominantly of the multifocal and disseminated type. The aim of this paper is to describe the protean radiological manifestations of tuberculosis in sites other than the spine and synovium, and their resemblance to benign and malignant bone lesions. Method: Forty-nine children, aged 1–12 years with histologically confirmed osseous lesions of tuberculosis, were reviewed between 1984 and 2001. Symptoms ranged from two weeks to three months. There were a total of 59 lesions. Forty-three children had solitary, and six had multifocal lesions. Thirty lesions were in the metaphyses, six in the diaphyses and five in the epiphyses. The remainder were in the small and flat bones. Four basic patterns of bone lesions were seen. The majority were cystic in type (34), infiltrative (10), focal erosions (nine) and spina ventosa lesions (6). Several bone lesions resembled pyogenic and fungal osteomyelitis, osteoid osteoma, benign and malignant bone tumors. All patients had biopsy with curettage. Results: Follow-up ranged from nine months to 12 years (average 3.5). All lesions showed clinical and radiological healing by three to six months following anti-tuberculous treatment with rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide. Cystic lesions healed with slight marginal sclerosis in 12 patients. Growth disturbance was seen in six children with residual shortening of 1–3cm. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was seen in three hips and coxa vara in two others. Six patients had joint contracture of 100–300. Good remodelling of cystic and spina ventosa lesions was seen in all patients. Conclusion: The lack of familiarity with the spectrum of bone lesions in tuberculosis can lead to delay in diagnosis. The clinical and radiological manifestations of tuberculosis appears to be changing. Destructive and infiltrative lesions are less commonly encountered. Solitary lesions can mimic various benign and malignant conditions. Biopsy is mandatory

Introduction: The incidence of tuberculosis has increased by almost 30% annually in the UK. Orthopaedic surgeons are more likely to encounter patients affected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis [MTB]. We have reviewed the surgical and medical management of cases of MTB infecting prosthetic hip joints in patients without previous tuberculosis. Report: A 59 year old Caucasian woman presented to us with apparent osteoarthritis hip. X-rays confirmed osteoarthritis but also revealed a lytic lesion in the greater trochanter and erosion of the superior cortex of the femoral neck. The patient had no prior history of exposure to tuberculosis and no evidence of pulmonary or osteoarticular tuberculosis. The patient was investigated preoperatively with blood tests, bone scan, CT scan, CT guided FNAC, and core biopsy. None of these showed any specific diagnostic features. She underwent a total hip replacement and was asymptomatic up to 15 months post-op when she presented with pain in the joint with an abscess over the gluteal region. The abscess was drained and special media culture grew MTB. We used 4-drug therapy for 12 months with retention of the prosthesis and a good functional result. Discussion: Infected total hip replacement presents a management challenge and surgeons should have a high index of suspicion for Tuberculosis in recalcitrant infections where smears from infected joints are negative. The infection of a total hip replacement with MTB in patients without previous tuberculosis is very uncommon. Only 12 cases have been reported in a search of English language literature from 1966–2005. We have analysed the wide variation in the management of these cases. The majority of authors in our review resected or revised the infected prosthesis. We are of the opinion that if the infection is clinically under control and the prosthesis is stable, medical treatment alone should suffice

Among the extra pulmonary forms of tuberculosis (TB), the osteoarticular localization has been detached in 1–2% of cases. In 30% of these children either a pulmonary and extra-pulmonary localization was found. The diagnosis of skeletal TB is often insidious due to variable signs and symptoms. The medical records of children admitted to our center between 2006 and 2013 due to skeletal TB were evaluated. All patient underwent TB skin test, IGRA test, chest X-ray and focused imaging tests. In the complicated forms of osteoarthritis the infected material drained spontaneously or surgically was analyzed for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MT) detection and culture. In patients with pulmonary localization gastric aspirates or sputum analysis was performed. Nine patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age at diagnosis was 7 (range 2–13) years. All patients presented with local osteoarticular symptoms and 4 of them had fever. In five cases there was a preceding history of minor trauma. Three patients had a case of TB in the family. Four patients had a spinal localization, three hips and two ankles. ERS and CRP values were altered in 7 and 4 patients respectively. All patient underwent radiography, bone three phase scintigraphy and a MRI. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed by histopathological examination of bone biopsy in 6 (66%) cases. The skin test and the IGRA test were positive in all patients. The chest X-ray showed a pulmonary localization in 3 cases that had positive gastric aspirate or sputum. All patients were treated with isoniazid, rifampicin pyrazinamide and ethambutol. In 3 patients Linezolid or Ciprofloxacin was also associated. The follow-up had an average value of 34 months. Sequelae were reported in 7 patients (limping in 5 cases, severe kyphosis in 2 cases). Owing to its low incidence in developed countries, the diagnosis ot TB is often delayed for months to years. Additionally, we highly recommend taking a biopsy of the site of suspected infection because an early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment

High cervical tuberculosis is a rare condition, occurring in 0.3% to 1% of patients with tuberculous spondylitis. Until a more obvious and potentially dangerous complication develops, it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. We review the presentation, management and outcome of patients with atlanto-axial tuberculosis. The case notes and radiographs of five patients with atlanto-axial tuberculosis were reviewed and they were recalled for clinical assessment. The mean age of patients was 30 years (16 to 54). The mean time from presentation to diagnosis was 5.6 months (3 to 12). All patients presented with neck pain and stiffness, which three ascribed to previous trauma. Two patients had neurological deficit. Three had tuberculosis at other sites. All patients had prevertebral swelling on plain lateral cervical spine radiographs and a collection anterior to C1/2 on CT scan or MRI. Three of these patients underwent surgery, one for anterior abscess drainage and diagnosis, one for stabilisation and one for non-contigious spinal involvement. All received four-drug antituberculous medication for at least 6 months. A single patient was HIV positive. All patients did well, with complete resolution of neurological symptoms and instability and good recovery of range of motion. Atlanto-axial tuberculosis is rare but carries the risk of instability and neurological compromise. Particularly in endemic areas, a high index of suspicion is necessary when patients present with neck pain. Non-operative management, with bracing and antituberculous agents, is adequate, with surgery indicated for instability

Purpose. The hip region is the second most common site for tuberculosis following the spine in children. The aim is to describe the variable radiological patterns of presentation and their resemblance to pyogenic infection, tumours and other benign conditions of bone in children. Methods. The clinical and radiological records of 29 children aged 10 months–13 years with confirmed tuberculosis of the hip region seen between 1990 and 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical features were pain, limp and flexion, adduction contractures. Abscesses and sinuses were seen in 4 children. The ESR ranged between 7–110 mm/hr. Mantoux was positive in 20 children. All cases were histologically confirmed. Treatment involved biopsy, currettage of bone defects, limited synovectomy and adductor tenotomy. Patients were immobilised for 4 weeks on a spica cast or traction. Antituberculous treatment was administered for 9–12 months. Results. Radiologically 9 lesions were extra-articular and 20 involved the joint synovium and articular surface. Extra-articular lesions were seen in the pubis, greater and lesser trochanter, ilium, proximal femur and peri-acetabular regions. Intra-articular lesions were seen in the femoral head, neck and acetabulum. Dislocations and subluxations occurred in 8 patients; various lesions mimicked pyogenic arthritis, idiopathic chondrolysis, chondrobastoma, Perthes disease, eosinophilic granuloma and osteoid osteoma. Follow up ranged between 8 months and 5 years. Good range of movement was seen in 20 children. Nine children had flexion adduction contractures, four of these had ankylosed hips and five required abduction extension osteotomies. Other changes seen were coxa vara (2) coxa magna (1) and avascular necrosis (3). Conclusion. The variable radiological picture of tuberculosis of the hip region can mimic various osteoarticular conditions in children. Biopsy is essential and should be taken from the bony lesion and not the synovium alone. NO DISCLOSURES

Skeletal tuberculosis is an indolent disease whose diagnosis is often delayed. Evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis is present in less than 50% of cases. We present our experience from a small inner city district hospital of the difficulties managing patients with skeletal tuberculosis. During the period 1988 to 1998 a total of 38 patients with tuberculous osteomyelitis confirmed microbiologically by tissue culture or histologically on material gained at biopsy presented to our inner city hospital serving 250 000 patients. Two groups of patients were identified in our series. There was an acute group that tended to affect the appendicular skeleton and who responded to local treatment plus chemotherapy with restoration of normal function. In contrast the second group, who were difficult to diagnose, had axial skeleton involvement, deteriorated before treatment and had a poor outcome despite treatment. Failure of admitting medical teams to examine the axial skeleton in their confused patients led to a delay in diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis in this second group with profound consequences. All health professionals will be encountering skeletal tuberculosis more frequently with the recent resurgence of pulmonary tuberculosis. They may have little experience with the management of this condition and may overlook the diagnosis with consequent catastrophic results. A high index of suspicion is required for prompt diagnosis with early referral to an orthopaedic surgeon improving outcome. Survival in the wake of hindquarter amputation and oncological treatment is improving; the hindquarter amputee population is increasing. Some amputees function well others do not. To assess quality of life and function of hindquarter amputees. 21 amputees (10 females and 11 males) consented to take part in the study. Ethics approval was sought. Assessment was performed using postal questionnaires; SF36 for quality of life; TESS (Toronto Extremity Salvage Score) for physical function and mobility; IEFF( International Index for Erectile Function) for male sexual function; a prosthetics questionnaire to assess prosthetic use. Mean age of the group was 55 with the mean survival of 7 years post amputation. Quality of life results were compared to normal subjects and patients for long tern illness. Amputees had a significant reduction in quality of life concerning physical function and pain. Social function, mental health and energy levels were equivalent to patients with long term illness. The mean TESS result was 56.9 with females having a mean score of 61.7 and male of 48. 50% of the group considered themselves as severely to completely disabled; 50% considered themselves moderately disabled. Five were in full time employment. Six males responded to the sexual function questionnaire. Impotence was universally experienced. Only five amputees used their prosthesis regularly. All amputees have experienced and 20 continue to experience phantom pain. This study illustrates that hindquarter amputees have poor physical function and a low quality of life. Phantom pain is universally experienced. Male amputees experience impotence. Addressing these areas would improve the life of current and future hindquarter amputees

Tuberculous sacro-iliitis occurs in fewer than 10% of cases of skeletal tuberculosis. The diagnosis is usually delayed as more common causes of low back pain are sought. Treatment is mainly conservative, with very few patients requiring surgery. In a retrospective analysis from 1994 to 2004, we reviewed 15 patients, ranging in age from 15 to 60 years, 13 of whom presented with lower back pain and difficulty with walking. Two patients had an abscess over the affected sacro-iliac joint. All patients had tenderness over the sacro-iliac joint. The Gaenslen and FABER stress tests were positive in all patients. Radiographs showed joint space widening, marginal sclerosis of the joints and peri-articular osteopoenia. Technetium 99 bone scan revealed increased uptake in the region of the sacro-iliac joint. CT scan revealed joint space widening, sclerosis and sequestra in the joint space. Only one patient had bilateral tuberculous infection. Two had had an associated lumbar spine lesion. All 15 patients underwent open biopsy. Histological and microbiological reports revealed chronic infection, with Mycobacterium tuberculosis the causative organism. An 18-month program of antituberculous medication was initiated. Ambulation followed wound healing. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 8 years. All 15 patients responded well to this conservative approach. In patients with low back pain, sacro-iliac disease should always be included in the differential diagnosis. Thorough clinical and radiological examination and laboratory diagnosis is essential to exclude pyogenic infection and tumours

The diagnosis of painful heel syndrome is quite common in any busy orthopaedics OPD. Though neoplasm and infections are not uncommon in calcaneum, the surgeon does not suspect infection unless there is an obvious history of punctured wound or constitutional symptoms. As such till date there is no series of large number of cases of calcaneal tuberculosis. We present our experience with 39 cases of calcaneal tuberculosis which include 2 cases of simultaneous bilateral symmetric involvement and 13 cases of tubercular lesion at the site of the attachment of Tendoachilles and Plantar Fascia. A classification of calcaneal tuberculosis is proposed. Material & Methods: (n=39) age 6–60 years; male: female – 20:19; duration of symptoms – 2 weeks to 8 years; “Heel up” sign present in 19 cases; X-ray showed erosive lesion at the site of Tendoachilles attachment (enthesitic type lesion) – 8 cases; erosive lesion at the site of Plantar Fascia attachment – 5 cases; Intraosseous lytic lesion(s) without subtalar joint involvment – 23 cases; subtalar joint involvemnet – 3 cases. FNAC was positive in 17 cases and core biopsy revealed tubercular material in 12 cases. All cases except one were treated conservatively. Discussion: The diagnosis and treatment of calcaneal tuberculosis are often delayed because the surgeon is unaware and signs and symptoms of calcaneal osteomyelitis are less dramatic than seen in osteomyelitis of long bones. The diagnostic and radiological features will be discussed

Craniovertebral tuberculosis accounts for 5% of all cases of tuberculosis and is the commonest infective pathology affecting this region. There are very few published reports discussing the presentation and management of this complex pathology. 30 cases of craniovertrebral tuberculosis treated between 1989–97 were reviewed retrospectively. The average age was 24 years (range 6 – 42 years) with a follow up of 41 months (range 36 – 48 months). Two main groups on the basis of atlantoaxial stability. 18 (60%) had an unstable atlantoaxial articulation and of these 12 (66%) had a fully reducible AAD in extension. 17 patients (56%) had varying degrees of neurological deficit with lower limb spasticity being the commonest. Antituberculous chemotherapy, skeletal traction in extension and prolonged bracing with moulded philadelphia collar were main stays of conservative treatment. Surgery in the form of posterior occipito cervical arthrodesis was needed in 13 patients (43%) and indications included incompletely reduced AAD, non resolving neurological deficit and persistent instability despite 6 weeks in traction. There was 93% success rate with resolution of infection (range 4 – 8 months) and improvement in neurological deficit 2 patients had incomplete neurological recovery and required 2. nd. stage anterior transoral odontoidectomy. Management strategies based on the presence or absence of instability and neurological deficit can give a very satisfactory outcome with judicious combination of drug therapy, bracing and surgical decompression with fusion

Abstract. Objectives. to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topically applied tranexamic acid (TXA) in thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis surgery, posterior approach. Methods. Thoracolumbar spine tuberculosis patients who requiring debridement, pedicle screw fixation and fusion surgery were divided into two groups. In the TXA group (n=50), the wound surface was soaked with TXA (1 g in 100 mL saline solution) for 3 minutes after exposure, after decompression, and before wound closure, and in the control group (n=116) using only saline. Intraoperative blood loss, drain volume 48 hours after surgery, amount of blood transfusion, transfusion rate, the haemoglobin, haematocrit after the surgery, the difference between them before and after the surgery, incision infection and the incidence of deep vein thrombosis between the two groups. Results. EBL for the control group was 783.33±332.71 mL and for intervention group 410.57±189.72 mL (p<0.001). The operative time for control group was 3.24±0.38 hours and for intervention group 2.99±0.79 hours (p<0.695). Hemovac drainage on days1 and 2 for control group was 167.10±53.83mL and 99.33±37.5 mL, respectively, and for intervention group 107.03±44.37mL and 53.38±21.99mL, respectively (p<0.001). The length of stay was significantly shorter in the intervention group (4.8±1.1 days) compared to control group (7.0±2.3 days). There was bo different in incision side infection and DVT. Conclusions. Topical TXA is a viable, cost-effective method of decreasing perioperative blood loss in major spine surgery with fewer overall complications than other methods. Further studies are required to find the ideal dosage and timing

We retrospectively reviewed 10 children treated for tuberculosis of the elbow over a 21-year period from 1979 to 1999. The mean age at diagnosis was 5.5 years (1 to 11). The median duration of symptoms was 10 weeks (l week to 18 months). The patients presented mainly with swelling of the elbow joint due to synovitis. Radiological appearances of the elbow at presentation were assessed according to Kerri and Martini’s classification. One elbow was stage I (osteopoenia), eight were stage II (osteopoenia and erosions) and one stage III (joint space narrowing). Open biopsy was performed on all patients. There was positive histology (caseating granuloma) and/or positive culture in eight patients. Of the two patients with non-specific histology and negative culture, one was found on chest radiograph to have tuberculosis involvement and the other healed on anti-tuberculosis therapy. All patients were treated with rifampicin, isoniazide and pyrazinamide for nine months. No synovectomy was done. Postoperatively all patients were immobilised in a backslab and then actively mobilised. At a mean follow-up of three years (1 to 10), patients were assessed according to a modification of Kerri and Martini’s classification. Seven of the eight stage-I or stage-II patients had an excellent result (full range of movement) or good result (loss of less than 30% of range of movement). One stage-II patient had a fair result (loss of range of movement of 30% to 50%). The stage-III patient had a poor result (loss of more than 50% of range of movement). We concluded that elbows with stage-I and stage-II disease (synovitis) have a good outcome. Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is effective in the treatment of stage-I and stage II disease. Synovectomy is unnecessary