Joint tuberculosis: a diagnosis that should be kept in mind

Abstract

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease of high prevalence in developing countries. Factors such as underestimation of the disease and difficulty in diagnosis have generated delay in the diagnosis and with it significant morbidity and mortality. With regard to the joint location, most of them are born and immigrated from endemic areas and also with immune compromise. Its usual presentation is a monoartritis of large joints and the most frequent locations with spine, hip and knee. Radiological findings may suggest the picture, however, the diagnosis is made by identifying the germ. We present the case of a 29-year-old patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who underwent immunosuppressive treatment, who presented with a chronic condition of joint pain in the right hip and progressive functional limitation who, after several studies, documented a tuberculous arthritis. The patient receives antitubercular agents and is followed up by external consultation.