Seventeen years to mobility: delayed total knee arthroplasty for post-tuberculous arthritis—A case report
Issued Date
2026-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
17521947
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105029865964
Pubmed ID
41555348
Journal Title
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Volume
20
Issue
1
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Medical Case Reports Vol.20 No.1 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Pradhan N., Pradhan U., Chandhanayingyong C., Chareancholvanich K. Seventeen years to mobility: delayed total knee arthroplasty for post-tuberculous arthritis—A case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports Vol.20 No.1 (2026). doi:10.1186/s13256-025-05823-w Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115151
Title
Seventeen years to mobility: delayed total knee arthroplasty for post-tuberculous arthritis—A case report
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Abstract
Background: Tuberculous arthritis of the knee is an uncommon manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that can be misdiagnosed and lead to severe joint destruction. Case presentation: We report a rare case of a 40-year-old Buddhist male patient from Bhutan with an 18-year history of progressive knee stiffness and pain following sports-related knee injury, later diagnosed as tuberculous arthritis. After delayed diagnosis and treatment, the patient underwent successful total knee arthroplasty performed by an international surgical team. Result: Postoperatively, the patient regained 90° of flexion with full extension at 6 months, with no evidence of recurrence. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for tuberculous arthritis in endemic regions and illustrates how delayed but appropriate surgical intervention can restore function and quality of life.