Pott's paraplegia
Last reviewed 01/2018
In Pott's paraplegia, the spinal cord may be compressed by soft material - e.g. an abscess, a caseous mass or granulation tissue - or by hard solid material - e.g. a bony sequestrum, a sequestrated disc or the ridge of bone at the kyphos. Sometimes, fibrous tissue will cause compression of the spinal cord.
The patient presents with signs of paraplegia in addition to those of spine tuberculosis. The patient may complain of clumsiness and weakness, paraesthesia or numbness, and disturbance of bladder control. On examination, muscle tone may be increased and the tendon reflexes may be brisk. The patient may exhibit extensor plantar responses and clonus.