Spine Surgery

Dorsolumbar spine is the commonest site, however any part of the spine can be affected.

Back pain of varying grades
Radiation of pain to arms/legs
Weight loss, appetite loss
Low grade fever, sometimes more in the evenings
Night sweats
Weakness/numbness of arms/legs

An Xray is the first line of investigation where corrosion of the bone and disc space can be seen. MRI scan is done to see the extent of involvement of the vertebrae, the soft tissues, presence of cold abscess
Blood tests and sputum culture samples, chest Xray are taken also to aid in diagnosis.

No, patients are classically treated as under MIDDLE PATH REGIME. Unless definitely indicated, they are first managed conservatively and observed on regular periods for future surgery.

Severe pain, severe weakness/numbness, progressive weakness/numbness, difficulty walking/altered gait pattern, collapse of the bony framework on MRI are warning signs for need for surgery.

Some common procedures for Tuberculosis spine are:
1.CT guided biopsy and/or aspiration of the cold abscess
2.Spine laminectomy, decompression and/or instrumentation