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Tuberculous arthritis - Overview

Alternative Names

Granulomatous arthritis

Definition of Tuberculous arthritis:

Tuberculous arthritis is an infection of the joints due to tuberculosis (TB).

See also: Spondylitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Tuberculous arthritis is caused by the bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A very small number of people who have TB will develop this form of arthritis. The joints most often involved are the:

  • Ankles
  • Hips
  • Knees
  • Spine
  • Wrists

Most cases involve just one joint.

TB involving the spine is often referred to as Pott's disease. It makes up about half of all TB-related bone infections.

  • Reviewed last on: 12/7/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Barr WG, Harrington JT, Flaherty JP. Mycobacterial infections of bones and joints. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED, McInnes IB, Ruddy S, Sargent JS, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 101.

Fitzgerald DW, Sterling TR, Haas DW. Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolan R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Orlando, FL: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 250.

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