Is there such a disease as bone tuberculosis? Is it serious?

There is a disease called bone tuberculosis, which is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infecting bones or joints. The severity varies depending on the progression of the disease. If not treated in time, it may lead to bone deformities, loss of joint function, or even paralysis, and requires high attention.

The most common cause of bone tuberculosis is the spread of tuberculosis bacteria to bones or joints through the blood. Common high-risk factors include previously untreated or incompletely treated pulmonary tuberculosis, low immunity, and poor sanitary environment. According to the pathological characteristics, it is common in the spine, hip joint, knee joint and other parts. The initial symptoms are mild, and the patient may feel mild pain or fatigue, but as the disease worsens, the affected part will have obvious pain, swelling, limited movement, and may even form a cold abscess (abscess without fever). If it invades the spine, it may also compress the spinal cord and cause paralysis. The diagnosis of bone tuberculosis usually relies on imaging examinations (such as X-rays, MRI) and laboratory tests (tuberculin skin test or histopathology, etc.).

Treatment of bone tuberculosis requires comprehensive consideration of drugs and surgery. Drug treatment is the core, using at least four anti-tuberculosis drugs in combination (such as isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol), usually for 6-12 months. Regular follow-up is required during drug treatment to evaluate the efficacy and adjust the plan. When drug treatment is limited or complications such as bone deformity and spinal cord compression occur, surgical treatment may be required, such as lesion removal, orthopedic surgery or surgical decompression. Auxiliary treatment is equally important. Patients need to pay attention to adequate nutritional intake, eat more foods rich in protein, vitamin A and vitamin D to promote bone repair, and avoid strenuous exercise.

Most patients with bone tuberculosis can be effectively controlled if they receive timely treatment. However, this is a chronic disease, and patients should follow the doctor's advice to take medication regularly and undergo follow-up examinations, and avoid stopping medication without authorization to avoid causing drug-resistant strains. If symptoms such as unexplained joint or bone pain, joint swelling, and limited mobility occur, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to try to detect and treat the disease early and prevent it from progressing. Protective measures such as improving the living environment, vaccinating with BCG, and maintaining personal hygiene can also reduce the risk of disease.