STREPTOMYCIN IN THE TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOUS TENOSYNOVITIS

Abstract

The treatment of tuberculous tenosynovitis ranged from immobilization to surgical removal of the affected areas prior to the discovery of streptomycin. Since then, the drug has been used in conjunction with both forms of surgical therapy, although there is little information in the medical literature on the subject of the use of streptomycin in tuberculous tenosynovitis. Immobilization, relative or absolute, is one of the keystones in the treatment of tuberculosis. However, splint fixation of the wrist and fingers for a prolonged period will lead to some ankylosis of these many joints, thus creating a problem in rehabilitation after the tuberculosis is controlled. Any method of treatment which does not include surgical intervention and/or immobilization and which gives good results would seem to have economic merit. An opportunity has been afforded us to treat 2 patients with tuberculous tenosynovitis with streptomycin without surgical measures or immobilization. <h3>REPORT OF CASES</h3><h3>Case 1.—</h3>