
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Leprosy x ray
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Osteoporosis is a common finding in leprosy patients which along with the loss of sensation may lead to fractures.
X Ray
X Ray
Because osteoporosis is common among leprosy patients, fractures may occur. Sensory loss and the absence of pain also lead to an increase in trauma which further increases the risk of fractures[1]
- The radiologic findings are similar to those caused by other conditions in which sensory impairment is complicated by traumatic injury and infection (charcot joint) such as diabetes mellitus, frostbite, pernicious anemia, scleroderma, syringomyelia, tabes dorsalis, and familial sensory neuropathy.
- Motor denervation due to leprous infection of peripheral nerves contributes to deformities such as claw hand and claw toes and is sometimes associated with the development of concentric bone atrophy.
- Absorption of bone in leprosy manifests as a decrease in bone length and width and results in a tapered appearance at the end of the bone.
- When complicated by repeated microtrauma, secondary bacterial infection or both, digits may be resorbed.
References
References
- ↑ MartÃnez de Lagrán, Z.; Arrieta-Egurrola, A.; González-Pérez, R.; Soloeta-Arechavala, R. (2009). “Complicaciones óseas en un paciente con lepra lepromatosa”. Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas. 100 (7): 615–617. doi:10.1016/S0001-7310(09)71912-X. ISSN 0001-7310.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]


