Tuberculosis of the Shoulder Joint: A Series of Three Cases

Tuberculosis (TB) involving the shoulder joint is rare. Early diagnosis is difficult but essential to prevent severe joint damage. In this report, we present variable presentation and management of TB of shoulder joint in three patients.

This report includes three patients. First patient was a 58-year-old male with severe muscle wasting around the shoulder with restriction of all movements had dry form of TB. Second patient was 55-year-old female with pain and swelling in the shoulder had wet form of TB with submuscular bursitis with rice bodies. A 50-year-old female presented with pain in the right shoulder with restricted active movements only was diagnosed with mobile form of TB was our third patient. Shoulder TB was diagnosed on the basis of histopathological examination in all three patients and was treated with 12 months of anti-tubercular therapy (ATT). All patients had good recovery and were back to their routine activities.

TB of the shoulder has variable presentation; histopathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment with ATT help in prevention of the severe joint damage.