Pott spine (spine tb) Only the option?

Before the advent of effective anti tuberculosis chemotherapy, Pott disease was treated with immobilization using prolonged bed rest or a body cast. At the time, the disease carried a mortality rate of 20%, and relapse was common (30%). The duration of treatment, surgical indications, and inpatient care for Pott disease have since evolved. Opinions differ regarding whether the treatment of choice should be conservative chemotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. The treatment decision should be individualized for each patient, ALTHOUGHT ROUTINE SURGERY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE INDICATED Follow-up: You have to understand that treatment of this disease is a long drawn process (may take upto 1.5 yrs) Patients with Pott disease should be closely monitored to assess their response to therapy and compliance with medication. Directly observed therapy may be required. The development or progression of neurologic deficits, spinal deformity, or intractable pain should be considered evidence of poor therapeutic response. This raises the possibility of antimicrobial drug resistance, as well as the necessity for surgery.