Spinal Tuberculosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Approaches

Spinal Tuberculosis is a lung condition characterized by constant cough, fatigue, high temperature, and loss of appetite. It is a type of bacterial infection. It can affect different parts of the body, such as abdomen, bones, joints, and spine.

Spinal Tuberculosis, also known as pulmonary Tuberculosis, is a global health concern. It can affect the lungs or other organs. It is a combination of bone infection and arthritis. The upper lumbar vertebrae and lower thoracic are the most affected areas.

Lower thoracic vertebrae are usually involved in 40-50% of spinal diseases, followed by the lumbar spine care, with 35-45%. 

Key Facts: Spinal Tuberculosis:

1. Spinal TB is a global Health Concern
2. It is the biggest bacterial infection that affects our body
3. It can mainly affect lungs and other organs
4. Poor Nutrition is the main reason behind Spinal Tuberculosis.
5. Living in primarily overcrowded places
6. Medical illnesses are another big reason behind Spinal Tuberculosis

What Causes Spinal Tuberculosis?

Here are a list of what causes spinal tuberculosis:

1. When we came in close contact with a person who was already suffering from tuberculosis,.
2. The leading cause behind Spinal Tuberculosis is Poor nutrition
3. Living in overcrowded places
4. Medical illnesses
5. Immunosuppressant therapy
6. HIV and other diseases that are suppressing immunity

Diagnosis of Spinal TB

To diagnose spinal tuberculosis, the doctors of Gurugram may first ask for your medical history and what symptoms and problems the patient may face. Apart from these, some tests help them to diagnose Spine tuberculosis. Here these tests are:

1. Blood test: The Blood test shows a low hemoglobin content. It also helps us determine the Total leukocyte count (TLC) and elevated ESR.
2. X-ray: X-rays help us determine the stage where spine TB begins.
3. CT Scan: It assesses the extent of destruction in our body. 
4. MRI: It helps in earlier diagnosis and can also evaluate the spinal cord’s status.
5. Biopsy: It works by showing the infection in the MRI. The biopsy will confirm the infection in its final form.

Treatment for Spinal Tuberculosis

If the spinal TB is diagnosed early,. Then, the specialized doctors can treat you with the four-drug regimen. These drugs are only prescribed for the duration of 1 year under the supervision of experienced doctors. Who will decide the amount of drug that suits your medical conditions. These helps more than 95% of patients and help them get back to a normal life.

If the patient is in the last stage of TB, it affects him internally and destroyed his body completely. As a result, the patient is unable to walk or has developed kyphosis and cold abscess. In this condition, the doctor has advised you to have surgery. Patients who have developed paralysis will take up to 6 months to recover, depending on the severity of TB.

The Bottom Line

Spinal tuberculosis is also known as Pott’s disease. It is a destructive form of tuberculosis that leads to vertebral collapse and Kyphosis. The main symptoms of Spinal Tuberculosis are back pain, neck pain, stiffness, tenderness, muscle spasms, and weight loss. In later stages, bone destruction will ultimately lead to Gibbus formation. The success rate of surgery in spinal tuberculosis is remarkably high. If you come in contact with the best doctors in MedHarbour Gurugram.