Seventeen years to mobility: delayed total knee arthroplasty for post-tuberculous arthritis-A case report

Background Tuberculous arthritis of the knee is an uncommon manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that can be misdiagnosed and lead to severe joint destruction. Case presentation We report a rare case of a 40-year-old Buddhist male patient from Bhutan with an 18-year history of progressive knee stiffness and pain following sports-related knee injury, later diagnosed as tuberculous arthritis. After delayed diagnosis and treatment, the patient underwent successful total knee arthroplasty performed by an international surgical team. Result Postoperatively, the patient regained 90° of flexion with full extension at 6 months, with no evidence of recurrence. Conclusion This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for tuberculous arthritis in endemic regions and illustrates how delayed but appropriate surgical intervention can restore function and quality of life.