Comparative Study of Conservative and Operative Stabilization of Pott's Spine

Spinal tuberculosis is the most common and serious problem amongst osteoskeletal tuberculosis lesion in the comprising 50% of all cases. Spinal tuberculosis is most common pathology of spine in india. Spinal tuberculosis is extrapulmonary infection. Delay in diagnosis and management cause pott's paraplegia. 32 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis were treated out of which were 12 male and 20 females aged between 20-60 yrs old in department of orthopaedics, SNMC Agra during the period of Sept. 2010 to Sept 2012. The neurological function was evaluated according to the Frankel grading criterion. There were 2 cases of grade A, 8 cases of grade B, 12 cases of grade C. 8 cases of grade D, 2 cases of grade E. After receiving systemic 5 drug treatment of ATT for 4-6 weak and then observe patients were divided into two groups group A (conservative) in which 20 patients were treated conservatively with bed rest with spinal support braces and group B(operative) 12 patients were treated by pedicle screw fixation with decompression of the cord by posterior approach. All patients were followed for 12-24 months. At the end of follow up conservative (Group A) Frankel grade was C, D, E in 2, 6, 12 patients respectively in operative (group B) in Frankel grade D and E, 2 & 10 patients respectively. Comparing the both groups the improvement was faster & tremendous in operative (Group B) than conservative (Group A).