Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) of the spine (Pott’s disease) is the most common site of bone infection in TB; hips and knees are also often affected.  The lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae are the areas of the spine most often affected. 

Pathogenesis of Pott’s disease

Diagnosis of Pott’s disease

Clinical

The disease progresses slowly.  Signs and symptoms include:

Microbiology

Imaging

Management of Pott’s disease

Drug treatment is generally sufficient for Pott’s disease, with spinal immobilisation if required.  Surgery is required if there is spinal deformity or neurological signs of spinal cord compression.

Standard antituberculosis treatment is required.

Duration of antituberculosis treatment: