Atypical mycobacterium infection of the joint is a rare condition. It is often misdiagnosed and treated unsatisfactorily, therefore arthritis persists and results in joint destruction.
We report on a case with prolonged wrist swelling and joint destruction. The patient was first suspected of having tuberculosis with an atypical mycobacterium infection, therefore his joint fluid was cultured on Ogawa medium. Results led to a positive diagnosis and we gave preoperative chemotherapy before surgery.
