Tuberculous osteitis of the talus

Abstract A case of tuberculous osteitis of the talus in a 6-year-old white male is reported. Osteitis of the talus is uncommon and tuberculous disease of this bone is now rare. There was a delay of 5 weeks between presentation and final diagnosis and the reasons for this delay are discussed. Further investigation showed the presence of tuberculosis of the fifth lumbar vertebra and of the left kidney. With prompt chemotherapy and early surgery, the long term results of this once crippling disease are now excellent.