Tuberculosis joint infection.

A retrospective study of tuberculosis infection of joints over a 10 year period has identified 21 documented cases. The patients were, for the most part, of rural, middle-class background and usually in the fifth to seventh decade. Diagnosis was commonly missed with the exception of spinal lesions. Presentation was usually monoarticular with roentgenograms showing progressive joint destruction. Sedimentation rate elevation and positive skin testing were helpful, but the diagnosis depended on culture and histologic examination of tissue. Chemotherapy was very effective and urgent surgery was performed on spinal lesions for neurologic deficit.