TB of the spine: Pott's disease

Tuberculosis (TB) has been around since the beginning of time but for the past decade has experienced an increasing prevalence. TB starts in the lungs but can travel to any organ or structure of the body. The vertebrae are the most often afflicted sites of extra-pulmonary lesions. Pott's disease is the name given to TB of the spine. There are interventions that can enable a person with Pott's disease to return to an optimal level of functioning, and nurses have a pivotal role in helping the patient attain that level. A case study with diagnostic findings and interventions is presented in this article.