Tuberculosis of hand and wrist: Varied clinical presentation and functional outcome by surgical intervention in 13 cases

Abstract

A prospective study of 13 cases with tuberculosis of hand and wrist was presented with mean age of patients being 42.7 years (range 18 months to 84 years). Pain, swelling and difficulty in movement of adjacent joints were the most common presenting complaints. The discharging sinus, abscess & nerve compression were also observed in some cases. Out of 13 cases, bone involvement was seen in one case, joint involvement in five cases, soft tissue involvement in five cases and two cases had both soft tissue and joint involvement. All patients had undergone operative intervention for confirmation of diagnosis and improvement in function. Surgeries like open biopsy, debridement and tenosynovectomy were performed. Depending upon drug sensitivity on culture and histopathology report, standard anti-tuberculous treatment (ATT) was commenced under supervision of Infection Disease expert. Hand function was evaluated by modified Green and O'Brian score. The mean score was 58.84 (35-70) before any intervention and it improved to 89.23 (60-100) at 6 months follow up after surgical intervention and ATT. In conclusion, surgery may help for early functional recovery and for encouraging patient to use their hand for activities of daily living.

Keywords: Debridement; Infection; TB; Tuberculosis of hand; Wrist.