Background: Isolated tuberculous tenosynovitis and bursitis are rare among musculo-skeletal tuberculosis, but it is one of the major causes for chronic tendon sheath infection in developing countries. In hand, it is usually presented as a compound palmer ganglion (radio ulnar bursa), tenosynovitis of the flexer tendon sheaths and very few cases of tubercular tenosynovitis affecting the extensor tendons also are reported.
Case presentation: We are reporting a rare case of tuberculous extensor tenosynovitis with rupture of the extensor digitorum tendon in an elderly Indian man. This case report and review meets the ethical standard of the journal.
Conclusion: Delayed diagnosis of tuberculous tenosynovitis is due to numerous differential diagnoses and slow progression. For all chronic synovitis around the wrist, consider Mycobacterial infection as an important differential diagnosis.
Early diagnosis, radical excision combined with multidrug antituberculous therapy gives good functional results.