Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes in Tuberculosis of Knee and Hip Joints in 2005-2012

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Tuberculosis (TB) in a joint region presents high risk of damage to the joint. Consequences of a late diagnosis and inadequate therapy may be serious particularly in the large joints of lower extremities. Tuberculosis of knee and hip joints accounts for about 25% to 35% of osteoarticular tuberculosis (OAT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the objective and subjective results of tuberculosis treatment in knee and hip joints. MATERIAL AND METHODS Of 258 OAT patients treated at the Specialised Treatment Centre Jevicko between January 2005 and September 2012, tuberculosis of the hip joint was diagnosed in 31 patients in whom three hips were treated by incision and drainage and 10 by total hip replacement; 18 patients had tuberculosis of the knee joint with the following treatment: puncture in seven knees, incision and drainage in eight, excochleation of a tuberculous focus in the proximal tibia in two, removal of a bursa in one, arthrodesis in four and total knee replacement in four patients. The patients continued to be followed up at the Jevicko Centre. The scale of 1 to 5 (best to worst) was established for evaluation of objective and subjective results of the treatment. The data were analysed using the basic statistical characteristics and compared. RESULTS The objective evaluation was better for the hip joint; the sums of relative frequencies of marks 1 to 3 were 72.22% in the knee and 80.65% in the hip. In the knee more than 50% of the cases fell in the interval <1.304; 4.252>, in the hip this was <1.296; 3.672>. The hip joint was better subjectively evaluated, it had a higher sum of relative frequencies of marks 1 to 3, i.e., 96.77% as compared with 88.89% for the knee. In the knee more than 50% of the cases had marks in the interval <0.767; 3.122>; in the hip this was <0.869; 2.680>. The hip joint was better evaluated both objectively and subjectively. DISCUSSION An early diagnosis allows for the treatment of synovitis, which has a better prognosis than an arthritic disease. The subjective perception of treatment results showed a better evaluation than its objective correlate. Many patients were satisfied with the results, even with an immobilised joint (in arthrodesis). Total joint replacement in OAT patients does not always provide expected results in either knee or hip joints. Arthrodesis also has its indications related to health condition, age and social status of the patient. In periprosthetic TB infections, a careful consideration should be given to removal of the prosthesis and its re-implantation in relation to all circumstances associated with each particular case. CONCLUSIONS Tuberculosis of large weight-bearing joints is a rare entity in the countries with low TB prevalence, including the Czech Republic. It is necessary to pay attention to diagnosis and therapy and make them more effective even at higher costs associated with total hip replacement in TB or post-TB patients in order to maintain or restore joint function. At the time of borders open for citizens from countries with higher TB prevalence, the diagnosis of OAT should be considered.