(MTB) infection of a prosthetic joint is rarely reported in developed countries. Typically, MTB infection involves the hips or knees, and the infection can occur secondary to crushing and degradation of the granuloma during surgery or, less commonly, from distant foci spreading through the blood. In the present case, MTB infection likely resulted from haematogenous spread since multiple hot spots suggestive of MTB infection were noted in other sites. Early diagnosis allows for antitubercular therapy with retention of the prosthesis, while late diagnosis frequently results in removal and reimplantation of the joint. To avoid major surgery, a high index of suspicion is required to diagnose prosthetic joint tuberculosis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.