Tuberculous arthritis
Object numberGC.6991
TitleTuberculous arthritis
DescriptionWatercolour drawings of the synovial capsule with the articular surface of the patella and of the femoral condyle of a right knee joint showing changes due to tuberculous arthritis. From a miner aged 23 years who had been off work 3 years previously for 5 weeks on account of pleurisy. A year before admission he had pain in the right knee on flexion and was off work during 13 weeks. There was no history of injury. After working for 3 or 4 months the knee became swollen and was fixed in a plaster of Paris case during 11 weeks and thereafter treated by the intermittent application of a posterior splint. On admission to hospital there was typical tuberculous swelling of the joint. Pain has not been a feature of the disease but was elicited by pressure over the femoral condyles. Arthrectomy was performed through a suprapatellar incision. The synovial capsule shows typical tuberculosis changes with many small cubicles presents on its surface. There is a slight marginal irregularity of the articular surface of the patella and on section of the patella a tuberculosis focus was found in the substance of the bone. The femoral condyles show erosion and ulceration of the cartilages of impressed station along the line of junction between the condyles and the trochlea. A large mass of granulations surrounds the cruciate ligaments.
Object nameKNEE
Object categoryWater Colour
Dimensions
- Width: 21 cm
Length: 17.5 cm