Ten-year experience of bone and joint tuberculosis in Blackburn 1978-1987

A retrospective review of 70 cases of bone and joint tuberculosis seen between 1978 and 1987 is reported. Forty-nine of the cases were patients of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin. There was a wide range of sites affected. Pain, swelling or sinus formation were the commonest presenting features. Delay in diagnosis from the first hospital visit was significantly longer in the Caucasian population (mean delay; Caucasian 17.6 weeks, Indian subcontinent 2.8 weeks). Drug treatment was used in all cases, combined with biopsy in 21 cases and more radical surgery in 28 cases. The results of treatment were good with low morbidity and mortality, long-term problems have been few, and no relapses have occurred. Nine months of chemotherapy and the joint system of orthopaedic and medical management employed locally are strongly recommended.