Role of arthroscopy and endoscopy in management of tuberculosis of the foot and ankle

Abstract

Tuberculosis of the foot and ankle is rare but destructive. It can affect bones, joints and soft tissue and can mimic a wide range of acute and chronic infections or tumorous conditions. The primary treatment objectives for osteoarticular TB include curing the infection, limiting deformity, maintaining mobility, and reducing discomfort. Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment in acute stage. Indications of surgery include biopsy and debridement in early stages to reduce the tuberculosis load and enable better penetration of anti-tuberculous drugs. Other reported indications for surgery in early stage of TB foot and ankle include resection of lesion not responding to chemotherapy and debridement of lesions close to the articular surface, as surgical debridement might halt progression and joint invasion, avoiding worsening of the prognosis. The success of arthroscopic treatment for infectious arthritis with decreased morbidity and postoperative pain makes arthroscopy an excellent alternative to open surgery. The advantages such as minor trauma, short hospitalization time and short post operative rehabilitation period as well as good cosmetic and therapeutic results should lead to a more frequent use of arthroscopy as early as possible as an adjuvant for the tuberculous joint. However, tuberculosis can involve any joints, bone and soft tissue (tendon) of the foot and ankle and surgeons should equip with various arthroscopic and endoscopic techniques in order to deal with the various situations of tuberculosis of the foot and ankle.