Spinal brace in tuberculosis of spine

ABSTRACT

To present our experience in the management of 22 patients with thoracolumbar spine tuberculosis [TB] using a chemotherapy regimen and locally custom-made spinal brace. Twenty-two patients with thoracolumbar spine TB had been treated conservatively by chemotherapy and locally custom-made spinal brace and followed for 36-48 months from June 1996 to June 2000 in the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Algamhoria Teaching Hospital, Aden, Republic of Yemen. In 14 cases, 2 vertebrae were involved, whereas in 8 cases involvement was only of one vertebra. All had persistent back pain 2 had neurological deficit, Frankel grade A and B [9%], and 12 [54%] had gibbus deformity. At the end of the observation period, all patients had no pain [based on the adjective rating scale]. Fourteen thoracic and 3 psoas abscesses resolved by 18 months. Four cases [18%] had deterioration of the angle of kyphosis. Five cases [22.5%] had progressive vertebral loss. Twelve cases [84%] had bony fusion at 36 months. Chemotherapy regimen and locally custom-made spinal brace is not costly, needs neither admission nor surgical intervention that demands skills and experience and can be recommended for uncomplicated thoracolumbar spinal TB