M49.0: Tuberculosis of spine

Tuberculosis of the spine, also known as Pott's disease, is a serious form of tuberculosis that affects the spine, typically the lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae. This form of tuberculosis results from the spread of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria to the spine causing a gradual destruction of the vertebrae, often leading to spinal deformities. The disease manifests slowly over a long period, often months to years, with symptoms including persistent back pain, stiffness, muscle weakness, and potentially loss of bladder and bowel control. In severe cases, the collapse of the vertebrae may cause a hunched back condition, known as kyphosis. It is noteworthy that Pott's disease is a secondary disease occurring after a primary tuberculosis infection, typically in the lungs. Despite being rarer than pulmonary tuberculosis, it's the most common form of skeletal tuberculosis, accounting for nearly half of all cases.