Tuberculous arthritis of the ankle
Object numberGC.4848
TitleTuberculous arthritis of the ankle
DescriptionTuberculous arthritis of the ankle.
Tuberculous arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While tuberculosis is predominatly thought of as a disease of the lungs, the bacteria can affect almost any part of the body.
The preparation is the distal portion of the diaphysis of a left tibia and fibula.
Clinical History:
From an adult in whom previously a Syme's amputation had been performed for tuberculous arthritis of the ankle. Tuberculosis and sepsis persisting in the stump ultimately necessitated amputation below the knee.
The bones are light and internally have undergone much decalcification and removal of the cancellous bone. The diaphysis of the tibia is somewhat swollen distally and its distal extremity is ankylosed to the distal extremity of the fibula. The callus effecting this union is light and porous and less irregular anteriorly than poster¬iorly where some spiky projections are directed proximally. In the distal half of both diaphyses the compact bone becomes increasingly rarefied towards their ankylosed extremities.
Object nameBONE, tibia and fibula
Object categoryAnatomical, specimen