What is common among the following – the English poet Alexander Pope, Anna Roosevelt Cowles, sister of President Theodore Roosevelt, and Louis Joseph, the last Dauphin of France? They all died from Spinal Tuberculosis.
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What is Spinal Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is generally believed to be a lung disease that affects our lungs. Nonetheless, this possibly severe contagious sickness also alters other organs and tissues in the body. The spine is most frequently impacted by tuberculosis infection.
Spinal Tuberculosis, also called Pott’s disease, is a rare but dangerous form of Skeletal TB that affects the lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae. It can lead to severe functional impairment and sickness if left untreated. One can avail of non-surgical spinal tuberculosis treatment with timely detection. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes this infection.
You may read about tuberculosis here.
Spinal Tuberculosis Symptoms
Once a person diagnosed with tuberculosis starts experiencing severe back pain, it is a certain indication of TB in the spinal cord. If this happens, get medical help from a qualified medical professional, such as an orthopedic spine surgeon. Due to spinal tuberculosis, neurological disabilities like decreased sensitivity, nerve root uneasiness, and paraplegia (crippling of both legs) may occur.
Symptoms include:
- Severe back pain
- Inflammation in the back or joints
- Stiffness
- Trouble moving or walking, especially in children
- Spinal abscess
- Soft tissue swelling
- Neurological disorders
- Tuberculosis-related meningitis
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis from the waist down (paraplegia) or of all four limbs and sometimes in specific organs (tetraplegia)
- Kyphosis, also known as hunchback
- Bone or spinal deformities
Often, one may be infected with tuberculosis and not be aware of it. Skeletal tuberculosis is quite difficult to diagnose, since symptoms may not be visible until the infection is serious or advanced.
Spinal Tuberculosis Causes
Spinal TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pott’s disease, unlike pulmonary tuberculosis, doesn’t spread through the air. Rather, this disease spreads through blood in your body if you come in contact with an infected person’s pus or bodily fluids.
Spinal Tuberculosis Risk Factors
- Endemic tuberculosis.
- Poor socio-economic conditions.
- HIV infection.
Spinal Tuberculosis Diagnosis
Many times, Spinal TB is confused with Arthritis. To clear the air, doctors run a series of tests to determine whether it’s Pott’s disease or Arthritis.
1. Bacteria Culture
The presence of Spinal TB is an indication of an underlying lung infection. The doctors may run tests on your blood or sputum sample to check for traces of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
2. Biopsy
The doctor may also conduct a biopsy, where s/he may take a tissue sample to check for infection.
3. Body Fluid Test
The doctor may run tests on various body fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid (from the spinal cord), pleural fluid (fluid surrounding the lungs), or even synovial or joint fluid to test for infection.
4. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test
In this test, the genetic material of the bacterium present in your tissue or fluid sample is magnified. This helps to detect the infection with a relatively smaller amount of fluid or tissue sample.
5. Immunological tests
Immunological tests involve looking for antibodies against tuberculosis or, in some cases, AIDS using body fluid samples.
6. Radiological tests
Doctors may also suggest you take an MRI or CT Scan or X-ray if there are bone deformities.
Spinal Tuberculosis Medication
The Spinal Tuberculosis Treatment depends on the extent of the spread of the infection. In most cases, Spinal TB can be cured using non-invasive spinal tuberculosis treatments such as chemotherapy and the administration of anti-TB medicines. Any bone deformity may warrant surgery for spinal tuberculosis treatment.
A research team from India also proposed that surgical intervention is not mandatory for Spinal Tuberculosis Treatment.
1. Anti-tuberculosis Drugs
Drugs such as Rifampicin, streptomycin, kanamycin, isoniazid, protionamide, cycloserine, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide may be prescribed to tackle the infection. These drugs can penetrate the cerebrospinal fluid and attack the bacterium. It takes around 6–12 months to recover from Spinal TB using drugs.
2. Corticosteroids
These drugs may be prescribed to prevent complications such as swelling around your spine or heart.
4. Surgery
Surgical intervention may take place in the presence of a bone deformity. This happens if the Spinal TB has reached an advanced stage.
Spinal Tuberculosis Prevention
Although Spinal TB is dangerous, it can be prevented by taking appropriate steps.
- As for all tuberculosis, BCG vaccination
- Improvement of socio-economic conditions
- Prevention of HIV and AIDS
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Spinal Tuberculosis Treatment Cost In India
The cost of Spinal Tuberculosis Treatment in India can fit well into your budget as compared to the same in other countries. The average cost for Spinal tuberculosis treatment can come between $3000 – $4000. The costs may vary depending on the stage of infection, treatment combination, and duration.
Spinal Tuberculosis Treatment Hospitals in India
India is one of the few countries that provide top-notch holistic treatment for Spinal TB at affordable costs. We have compiled a list of hospitals for you where you can avail of Spinal tuberculosis treatment.
1. Manipal Hospital
The Manipal hospital is one of the fastest-growing healthcare chains, known for its medical specialists and the varied fields of medicine in which they operate. To learn more and book an appointment, click here!
Established: 1991
Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Accreditation: NABL and NABH
Address: Gol Chakkar, Carterpuri Rd, Block F, Palam Vihar, Gurugram, Haryana 122017
2. Narayana Super Specialty Hospital
Narayana Health Hospital provides advanced care in over 30 medical specialties, ranging from cancer care to neurology. They are also known for their enhanced palliative care. To learn more and book an appointment, click here!
Established: 2000
Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Accreditation: JCI and NABH
Address: Plot 3201, Block – V DLF Phase – III, Nathupur, Sector 24, Gurugram, Haryana 122002
3. Max Super Specialty Hospital
Max Hospitals are known for housing the latest treatment facilities and a renowned medical team. Click here to book an appointment.
Established: 2000
Location: Delhi
Accreditation: NABH & JCI
Address: 1 2, Press Enclave Marg, Saket Institutional Area, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
4. Jaypee Hospital
Jaypee Hospitals are known for their tertiary care multi-specialty facilities, and for providing quality and affordable healthcare with commitment. Click here to book an appointment.
Established: 2014
Location: NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh
Accreditation: NABL and NABH
Address: Jaypee Hospital Rd, Goberdhanpur, Sector 128, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201304
5. Apollo Hospital
Apollo Hospitals in India are equipped with the latest medical equipment to provide a smooth healthcare service at affordable costs. To learn more and book an appointment, click here!
Established: 1983
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Accreditation: JCI and NABH
Address: 21, Greams Lane, Off Greams Road Chennai – 600006
6. Medanta Hospital
Medanta is one of the top hospitals in India to house experts from varied fields of medicine, providing holistic healthcare to their patients. To learn more and book an appointment, click here!
Established: 2009
Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Accreditation: NABH & JCI
Address: CH Baktawar Singh Rd, Medicity, Islampur Colony, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001
7. Artemis Hospital
Artemis, being one of the most advanced hospitals in India, has a lot of experience in complex medical and surgical procedures, and offers both hospital and outpatient care. Click here to book an appointment.
Established: 2007
Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Accreditation: JCI and NABH
Address: Sector 51, Gurugram, Haryana 122001
8. Fortis Hospital
Fortis Hospitals offers a wide range of treatments in both the clinical and operative areas. They are also known for their enhanced palliative care. To learn more and book an appointment, click here!
Established: 1996
Location: NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh
Accreditation: NABL and NABH
Address: B-22, Rasoolpur Nawada, D Block, Sector 62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301
9. Sharda Hospital
Sharda Hospital is known for its medical experts and research-oriented medical procedures. Click here to book an appointment.
Established: 2005
Location: NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh
Accreditation: NABL and NABH
Address: Plot No. 32, SHARDA UNIVERSITY Campus, 34, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306
10. Wockhardt Hospital
Wockhardt is known for its stringent quality standards along with high-quality medical services in India. Click here to book an appointment.
Established: 1989
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Accreditation: JCI and NABH
Address: Police Station, 1877, Dr. Anandrao Nair Marg, Near Agripada, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400011
To sum it up…
Spinal Tuberculosis is a rare disease that can become life-threatening if left untreated. Timely diagnosis can avert the worst of this infection and can provide respite to the patient. The treatment of Skeletal TB can be an expensive one hence, countries like India can be considered to get affordable yet world-class treatment.
Get Spinal Tuberculosis Treatment in Top Hospitals in India through GoMedii
Here is a list of the Top Spinal Tuberculosis Treatment Hospitals in India.
We have tie-ups with one of India’s most reputed hospitals to get you the best treatment at an affordable cost. Furthermore, to avail of our packages, you can contact us on our “Website” and call us at +91-9599004311. Additionally, you can also email us at connect@gomedii.com. Our team will respond to you on a priority basis.\
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