A Report of Two Cases of Tuberculous Arthritis of the Ankle

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem, and musculoskeletal TB occurs in approximately 10% of extrapulmonary cases. In this article we describe 2 cases of ankle joint tuberculous arthritis. Both of the patients were immunocompromised and presented with chronic pain and swelling. Both patients described a history of antecedent ankle trauma. The clinical presentations were consistent with chronic septic arthritis and were nonspecific as to a particular etiology. The pathology and microbiology results revealed infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculous infection of bone and joint must be considered when predisposing epidemiological factors are present to avoid delay in therapy. Further exploration into the relationship of trauma to tuberculosis recrudescence is warranted. Level of Clinical Evidence: 4