Tuberculosis of bones and joints is a disease caused by the activity of microbacteria, often - Koch sticks. Infection leads to damage to bones, abundantly supplied with a vascular network and containing a spongy substance. The disease manifests itself in the formation of abscesses, fistulas, in violation of mobility and even in the complete destruction of the joint. Damage to an infection of the spine leads to curvature of the back, the appearance of a hump, in severe cases, to paralysis of the limbs.
Phases and forms of the disease
Tuberculosis of bones and joints in its course goes through three phases: pre-arthritic (primary osteitis), arthritic (secondary arthritis) and post-arthritis (consequences and relapses of arthritis).
The disease is classified according to location. Allocate tuberculosis:
- knee joints called gonitis;
- hip joints, which is called coxitis (more common in children and in the absence of timely treatment leads to dislocation and joint deformation);
- ankle joints and foot bones (often causes joint immobility as a result of fusion of surfaces);
- shoulder joints, called omartritis (quite rare);
- wrist joints (also rare, can be combined with pathology of the knee joints);
- elbow joints, it is called deeritis (if it is not treated, it is fraught with fistulas and sore abscesses);
- tubular bones (extremely rare, begins to develop in childhood, usually affecting the metacarpal bones and phalanges of the hand).
Routes of transmission and causes of the disease
As already noted, tuberculosis of bones and joints causes tubercle bacillus that enters the body in every possible way . Most often, infection occurs as a result of close contact with a sick person. When it coughs or sneezes, particles of sputum containing a huge number of pathogens enter the external environment. Microbes can also enter the body through unwashed hands or in conjunction with food, after which they instantly spread with blood flow to all organs and tissues, including bones and joints.
But even if microbial bacteria enter the body, this does not mean that you will get tuberculosis. In the presence of strong immunity, microbes will not be able to harm you, because the protective forces will promptly stop the development of the disease. However, if your immunity is weak due to adverse living conditions or recent illnesses, tuberculosis will most likely not be avoided. That is why pathology is most often found in children, because their body does not yet have resistance to many infections. Frequent overload of the motor apparatus, injuries, severe hypothermia, relapse of existing diseases can contribute to the disease.
Tuberculosis of bones and joints: symptoms
It is difficult to identify the disease at an early stage, since at first it develops without characteristic signs. Many people think that the process can begin after a fall or a strong blow, but this is not so. Such an effect cannot cause tuberculosis, but can only provoke the activation of a tuberculosis focus already in the bone, that is, it serves as a trigger for the intensive development of the disease, which until then went unnoticed. As already mentioned, children are more susceptible to the disease. By carefully observing the child, you can still see signs of tuberculosis at an early stage. Usually the child becomes lethargic, does not want to take part in active games, quickly gets tired. Such symptoms may mean that your child develops tuberculosis of bones and joints. Photos also allow you to see the external manifestations of a nascent disease: a stoop appears, shoulders rise up. The child may begin to limp or club up. In adults at an early stage of the disease, signs are not expressed. Mild back pain, decreased performance may be observed, but few pay attention to this. When tuberculosis of bones and joints goes into the second phase of the course, the pain is significantly increased, the mobility of the joints decreases, the movements become constrained. You may notice swelling in the affected areas, soft tissue atrophy. Obvious signs of the disease are shortening of the limb, the formation of abscesses, muscle wasting.
Treatment
The treatment process is very long. Therapy includes the use of anti-TB drugs that inhibit the growth of microbial bacteria and thereby contribute to a more rapid attenuation of the disease process. Surgical methods can be used to restore the motor functions of the affected limbs.