# Navigating Foot Tuberculosis in a Leprosy Survivor: A Case Managed Solely With Medical Strategies

## TL;DR

A leprosy survivor with foot tuberculosis was successfully treated with medication alone, avoiding surgery.

## Contribution

This case demonstrates the effectiveness of medical treatment over surgery for ankle tuberculosis in leprosy patients.

## Key findings

- Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in the patient's foot using CBNAAT.
- Conservative anti-Koch's treatment led to successful management without surgery.
- Long-term follow-up confirmed treatment response and disease control.

## Abstract

We present a case report of a 66-year-old male patient with a known history of leprosy who presented with pain and swelling in his right foot for the past 1.5 years. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) revealed non-inflammatory exudate, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) was identified in the sample by the cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT). The patient was managed conservatively with anti-Koch's treatment (AKT), and a follow-up was conducted for 12 months to monitor the treatment response and overall progress. This highlights the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate medical management, along with a long-term follow-up, among patients with ankle tuberculosis, to reduce the need for surgical intervention.