Tuberculosis: Bone Tuberculosis Treatment in Delhi

Tuberculosis (TB) is an extremely contagious disease that affects the lungs and gets transmitted through the air from person to person. Tuberculosis is caused by a highly contagious bacteria known asMycobacterium tuberculosis.

TB usually affects the lungs, but can be transmitted to other organs such as the brain, kidneys, liver, spine, intestine, and other organs too. The general symptoms of tuberculosis include coughing, coughing with blood, and chest pain.

Bone Tuberculosis (TB)

Many of you have known someone who has been affected by tuberculosis but do you know how it is caused? Tuberculosis (TB) is an extremely contagious disease that affects the lungs of a person. It can be transferred from one person to another by air. The common cause you might be suffering from tuberculosis is caused by a highly contagious bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually affects the lungs but can be transmitted to other organs as well. It can spread to your brain, kidneys, liver, spine, intestine, and other organs too. The general symptoms of tuberculosis include coughing, coughing with blood, and chest pain.

In this blog, we will tell you about tuberculosis which spread to your bones causing Skeletal Tuberculosis or Bone tuberculosis. We will guide you through the types, symptoms and preventive methods so that you can protect yourself from getting bone tuberculosis.

In this blog, we will tell you about tuberculosis which spread to your bones causing Skeletal Tuberculosis or Bone tuberculosis. We will guide you through the types, symptoms and preventive methods so that you can protect yourself from getting bone tuberculosis. .

Causes of Bone TB (Tuberculosis)

There can be various causes of bone tuberculosis. Some include:

• The main cause of tuberculosis isMycobacterium tuberculosiswhich primarily affects the lungs and lymph nodes and gets transferred to bones and joints through blood vessels.
• Tuberculosis can be spread through the air.
• The infection can also spread from person to person through the blood or body fluids of the affected person.
• Malnutrition, environmental conditions and living standards are some of the factors that lead to TB. Living standards include poor sanitation, overcrowded housing and slum dwellings.
• Tuberculosis is frequently found in people who have AIDS infection and Diabetes mellitus.
• People with AIDS are more susceptible to Bone Tuberculosis since the immune system is weakened by AIDS.

Symptoms of Bone TB (Tuberculosis)

Symptoms of Bone TB start with Spinal TB pain. Other symptoms include:

• The disease is more common during the first three years of life but all age groups can get Bone Tuberculosis (TB).
• Some common symptoms of bone tuberculosis are:
  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Night sweats and
  • Pain in joints especially in the nighttime.
• Other symptoms include severe back pain, stiffness, swelling, muscle weakness, and bone or spinal deformities.
• On examination, tenderness, muscle spasms, painful restriction of movement, and regional lymph node enlargement may be seen.

Types of Bone TB (Tuberculosis)

Spine tuberculosis is also known as Pott's Disease. The spine is the most common site of Skeletal TB. Spine TB can occur in any stage of life but the most commonly affected people are in the age group of 10 - 30.

Spine TB is a rare infectious disease that leads to the collapse of the backbone, causing a deformity or kyphosis (hunchback). Back pain is the earliest and most common symptom of spine TB. People can also experience stiffness, swelling, deformities, low fever, and weight loss.

After spinal Tuberculosis, Hip TB is the most common site of Tuberculosis. Mostly affected are the children between the age of 5 years to 15 years but can occur at any stage. A painful limb is the most common and earliest symptom. Later the patient might experience shortening of limbs, deformities, and restriction of movements.

The knee is the third most common site for skeletal TB. Commonly affected people are children and young adults. Knee Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the knee joints specifically the cartilage which leads to a reduction of joint space and arthritis. The patient may experience swelling near their knees following the loss of motion and flexibility of the knee joint.

Almost any joint can be affected with TB, including the elbow, shoulder, ankle, and wrist. The symptoms, causes, and diagnosis are the same as the other joints.

Treatment of Bone TB (Tuberculosis)

There are various methods of treatment for Bone Tuberculosis (TB). The doctor may advise the best treatment method depending upon the severity of your disease and the category where bone tuberculosis has spread. These methods include:

Chemotherapy:Anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) is the main way of treating patients with TB. Same drugs, as per Who's suggested, short regimens are used. The duration is usually from 9 to 12 months suggested by the doctors.

Nutrition:High-protein diet and exposure to fresh air and sunlight provide good resistance to fight infection.

Physiotherapy:With the start of ATT, the disease activity and pain are reduced, and gradual mobilization exercises are started followed by strengthening exercises.

Surgery:Different types of surgeries may be required in different patients depending upon the clinical situation. These surgeries include Aspiration in the cold abscess, Curettage of the lesion, Joint Debridement, and Synovectomy.

(TB) Tuberculosis Prevention

The correct preventive measures a person should take in order to protect themselves from Tuberculosis are:

• Covering up the mouth always with mask and face covers, so that the infection doesn’t spread to other people.
• Always take your medicines on time. Skipping medicines can result in recurring of disease which is more difficult to cure.
• Eat healthy fruits and vegetables to keep your immunity strong.
• Stop smoking and drinking as they can lead to severe damage to your lungs. Also, avoid having caffeinated drinks and coffee.
• Keep your body as well as the environment hygienic as poor hygiene leads to the development of several diseases.

FAQs

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