Tuberculosis of Ankle Joint: Case Series

Abstract

Despite the widespread awareness campaigns going on worldwide for elimination of tuberculosis, knowledge on
unsual forms of tuberculosis still remains low. We need to realize that tuberculosis can present in any form and
thus, a greater degree of suspicion is important always especially in countries with high tuberculosis prevalence.
Although skeletal tuberculosis is being increasingly diagnosed and treated, still tuberculosis of the ankle joint is
uncommon and often misdiagnosed as septic arthritis and thus leads to unnecessary delay in treatment. Sometimes
another focus of tuberculosis elsewhere in the body may be not found nor do the patients have any presumptive
tuberculosis symptom. It is equally important to know that surgery alone might not help these patients. a
combination of surgery and appropriate anti tubercular therapy is the right approach. So, a multidisciplinary role
and co operation of the surgeon as well as the physician is essential especially in cases of skeletal tuberculosis.
Hence, it is imperative to know about tuberculosis irrespective of the system or anatomical structure involved.