Tuberculous infection of the hand and the wrist.

Twenty cases of tuberculous infection of the hand and the wrist from the division of plastic reconstructive surgery over the past 17 years. There were fourteen males, and six females. The ages of the patients ranged from 10 years to 80 years, with an average age of 50.1 years. The follow-up time was not less than 3 years. The characteristic manifestation of this diseases was insidious onset, and run chronicity. Painful swelling of the wrist and fingers as well as increased sedimentation rate were frequent findings. However, confirmed histopathological diagnosis is essential. Surgical debridement together with triple anti-tuberculous drugs are recommended. Triple drugs therapy should be given for not less than two years to prevent drug resistance and recurrence of the disease.