Language
Country/Area
No result found
Behind the back pain: How much do you know about the early signs of Pott's disease?
Pott's disease, also known as spinal tuberculosis, is a disease caused by the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from other parts of the body, such as the lungs, to the spine through the bloodstream. The disease was first described by British surgeon Percivall Pott in 1799 and typically affects the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine. As symptoms develop, Pott's disease can cause serious damage to the spine and may cause persistent back pain.
Back pain is the earliest and most common clinical symptom of Pott's disease, often accompanied by local tenderness and muscle spasm.
In the early stages of the disease, patients often experience varying degrees of back pain, which may worsen with activity, limiting the patient's ability to move. In addition, Pott's disease may develop with neurologic deficits, which vary depending on which part of the spine is affected. For example, an infection in the neck may cause problems with the nerves in the arms and legs, while an infection in the lower back often affects the nerves in the legs and around the tailbone.
The severity of the neurological deficit depends on the site of infection, which may include the arms and legs.
Early diagnosis of Pott's disease is particularly important because it can be confirmed with a CT scan, MRI, or a simple X-ray. However, early diagnosis is extremely challenging because bone loss in the area on X-ray must reach about 30% in the early stages to be visible on the image. Compared with traditional X-rays, MRI can more effectively detect lesions and buy time for early treatment.
The clinical manifestations of Pott's disease often develop gradually, and at first the symptoms may be indistinguishable from the fatigue of daily life. However, if symptoms persist and gradually worsen, they should be taken seriously. Although back pain is the earliest symptom, patients may also experience spinal consolidation, paresthesias in the lower extremities, and even effects on bladder and bowel function.
Non-spinal symptoms may include loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats, and fever.
When the disease progresses to the point where a cold abscess forms, patients are at greater risk of developing spinal cord damage and paralysis. If the abscess forms and becomes compressed or the infection spreads to other parts of the spine, it may even affect other organs, such as the pharynx, causing difficulty swallowing or breathing problems.
Pott's disease is caused primarily by the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) within the human body, usually through bacterial droplets in the air. The risk of infection varies by region, and low socioeconomic status, immunodeficiency, and contact with sick people are known risk factors.
The incidence of Pott's disease is higher in developing countries, mainly due to crowded and poorly ventilated environments.
For treatment, patients with Pott's disease usually require anti-tuberculosis therapy and possible surgical intervention. The key to treatment is to identify symptoms early and take appropriate measures in time to reduce the impact on the spine and nervous system. Due to the problem of drug resistance in tuberculosis, early and accurate diagnosis is crucial to improving patient outcomes.
The conclusion is, when we feel back pain, in addition to ordinary fatigue, should we also pay attention to the potential health risks behind it?
