Radiological Changes in the Hands
and Feet of Leprosy Patients
with Deformitie
703-707
Correspondence
Dr. Balachandra S. Ankad
Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology,
S. Nijalingappa Medical College, Navanagar,
Bagalkot- 587102, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: drbsankad@gmail.com
Phone: +919980410056
Context: Leprosy is a social disease and it is perceived in the society due to deformities. Bone changes are common in leprosy.
Aim: To study the radiological changes in the hands and feet in leprosy patients with deformities.
Settings and Design: This was an observational study done in the Department of Dermatology.
Methods and Material: This study was carried out for 24 months and it included 50 leprosy patients who were associated with deformities. The radiological changes were studied by taking roentgenograms (X-rays) of the hands and feet.
Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analysis of the descriptive data, that included the number and percentages, was done for all the categories.
Results: Among 50 patients (34 males and 16 females) overall, the radiological changes were seen in 48 patients. The radiological changes found were specific, nonspecific and osteoporotic in 31, 48 and 27 patients respectively. Only 2 patients did not show any bone changes. Male patients, especially manual labourers, showed more bone changes. There was no significant difference in the bone changes among the various types of leprosy.
Conclusions: Though leprosy is an ancient disease, it still continues to be the most feared, due to deformities. The bone changes with deformities are preventable, since all these are not due to the disease itself. The study of the radiological changes may help the clinician in formulating methods for the management of the disease and in preventing the permanent loss of function and the occurrence of deformities and disabilities.