Prognosis of Spinal Tuberculosis

Description: N. S. Motsitsi, Maria Chipeta: Prognosis Of Spinal Tuberculosis. The Internet Journal of Orthopedic Surgery. 2007. Volume 4 Number 2.
Keywords: Spinal Tuberculosis, Medical treatment, Prognosis, Frankel Grading
Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem in developing countries. The highest rates of the disease are seen in Sub - Saharan Africa, the Indonesian and the Philippine, Archipelagos, Afghanistan, Bolivia and Peru. About 20% of the world population afflicted with TB reside in India. 20% of TB involves the musculo-skeletal system.
We reviewed twenty five patients who had spinal TB from 2004 to October 2006. One patient defaulted treatment. More than three quarter of our subjects had neurological deficits on presentation. All subjects were initially treated medically. About half of the patients who had neurological deficits improved on medical treatment. For those who required surgery, three (3/4) showed rapid neurological recovery. Spinal TB is a disease with a fairly good outcome.