Isolated tuberculosis of talus: a case report

Malays Orthop J. 2014 Mar;8(1):61-2. doi: 10.5704/MOJ.1403.001.

Abstract

Tuberculosis still remains a leading infection, causing death and disability worldwide. We report a patient with isolated tuberculosis of the talus bone. A 14 year old boy reported with an eight-month history of swelling and pain in his left ankle joint. Routine investigations indicated positive aetiology of tuberculous infection . Surgical curettage of the talus and, debridement were performed and a below knee POP cast was applied along with anti TB therapy. After 18 months postoperative , the patient was able to carry out his daily activities without pain .The ankle and foot are rarely affected and account for only 1% of all TB infections. Provisional diagnosis can be made through history and routine investigations but confirmation by the identification of the bacillus from the local lesion or by a histopathological examination of tissue. Talus tuberculosis should be considered in any long standing inflammatory pathology of the ankle.

Key words: Debridement, Sequester, Tuberculosis.