Condition · infection

Spinal Tuberculosis (Koch's spine)

Tuberculous infection of the spine. Still prevalent in India. Often presents insidiously as slowly-worsening back pain rather than the classical fever-and-weight-loss picture.

Spinal tuberculosis, also known as Pott’s disease, is a form of tuberculosis (TB) that affects the spine. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and typically involves the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, leading to their destruction.

Common symptoms include chronic back pain, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and sometimes neurological symptoms like weakness or paralysis if the spinal cord or nerves are compressed. Severe cases may result in spinal deformities, such as kyphosis (hunchback).

Diagnosis is made through imaging (MRI, X-ray) and microbiological tests.

Treatment includes prolonged anti-TB medication, and surgery may be required in cases of severe spinal instability or neurological complications.