Tuberculous Arthritis of the Ankle

Authors

• Maria Margherita Rando Department of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
• Giuseppe De Matteis epartment of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
• Marco Gessi Division of Histopathology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
• Matteo Bartoli Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
• Marco Galli Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
• Giovanni Gambassi Department of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine, Rome, Italy

m.margheritarando@gmail.com

Keywords

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). Pulmonary TB is the most common form of presentation, but extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Rarely, patients with EPTB develop a form of ankle or foot arthritis. The diagnosis of TB arthritis is often overlooked because of the insidious onset and the non-specific clinical symptoms. Prognosis is generally poor; early diagnosis and delivery of the most appropriate treatment is critical to avoid functional disability.