Bone and joint tuberculosis: a review of 652 cases

• Published in: Orthopedics (Thorofare, N.J.) Vol. 11; no. 6; pp. 861 - 866
• Main Authors: MARTINI, M, OUAHES, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare, NJ Slack 01.06.1988; SLACK INCORPORATED
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Algeria; Ankylosis - complications; Bacterial diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Combined Modality Therapy; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Osteomyelitis - complications; Retrospective Studies; Tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infections; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular - complications; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular - diagnosis; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular - therapy; Algeria; Infection; Bacteriosis; Arthritis; Tuberculosis; Mycobacterial infection; Osteitis
• ISSN: 0147-7447; 1938-2367
• DOI: 10.3928/0147-7447-19880601-04

The results of a computerized study of 652 cases of bone and joint tuberculosis were presented. The cases were studied according to a program of 76 variables. From the various results of such a study, the following data were found. A high rate of tuberculous osteomyelitis (19%) and of tuberculosis of the upper limb joints (14%) were found. The reliability of a new x-ray classification based on the degree of destruction of the joint should be emphasized along with the reliability of biological examinations. All patients were treated according to the same principles; chemotherapy against tuberculosis, and surgical measures against musculoskeletal destruction. The results were excellent for tuberculosis. A favorable response to chemotherapy was found in 98% with only 3% of the cases relapsing. Anatomical results were surprisingly good and excellent in 56% of the cases, in spite of the low rate of surgery performed. Fair anatomical results often gave good functional results if no deformity persisted.