Physiotherapy Rehabilitation of a Conservatively Managed Patient With Pott’s Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

The granulomatous disease tuberculosis (TB) is brought on by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Skeletal TB is involved in 10-35% of extra-pulmonary reported cases worldwide, with the most common kind being tuberculous spondylitis (Pott's disease). Depending upon the extent of spinal engagement, the clinical presentation may include back pain, discomfort, neurological abnormalities, as well as other clinical signs like temperature, malaise, and loss of weight. The multidisciplinary therapeutic care of Pott's illness is centered on a particular medicinal therapy, on-demand surgery, and a customized rehabilitation regimen. A 20-year-old female was diagnosed with Pott's disease following investigations in Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH), Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, India. A tailored physiotherapy (PT) program was started and continued for six weeks, after which improvement in the mobility of the spine, pain relief, increased respiratory function, improved sensory function, and overall improvement in functional independence was markedly seen in the patient. The protocol included mobility, strengthening of lower limbs and core musculature, breathing, and postural correction exercises. Sensory re-education was done. Thus rehabilitation showed a great improvement in the patient and helped ease the patient's discomfort.