title: [Functional outcome of tuberculous arthiritis of the knee in a male Moroccan patient].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to present a case of tuberculous arthritis of the knee and discuss the importance of early diagnosis and rehabilitatin in management outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 57-year-old Moroccan man with no medical history presented with a mass in the left knee associated with pain and fever. Analysis of aspirated fluid demonstrated sterile inflammatory liquid. Presumptive antibiotic therapy was ineffective. Diagnosis of tuberculous arthritis was made based on positive tuberculin skin test and interferon-release assays. Diagnosis was confirmed by arthroscopic biopsy. Physiotherapy allowed improvement in both function and analytical test findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tuberculous arthritis is rare occurring in only 2 to 5% of people with tuberculosis. It can be very destructive. Diagnosis is often delayed leading to joint pain, tissue damage, and functional disability (e.g. inability to walk). Since prompt treatment (antibiotics then physiotherapy) can limit complications, early diagnosis is necessary and often requires deep biopsy, except endemic zones. In the acute phase, immobilization of the extremity in a functional position is necessary. When inflammatory signs subside, physiotherapy can be undertaken in short but frequent sessions without excessive weight or resistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The functional outcome of tuberculous arthritis depends on early multidisciplinary care involving the rheumatologist, infectious disease specialist, orthopedic surgeon and attending physician.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital d'instruction des armées Legouest, Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Metz. julia.9916@hotmail.fr
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Facione
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stephan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thefene
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Loiret
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chapus
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paysant
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lagauche
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy