Tuberculosis of the joints is a form of chronic illness which progresses through synovitis and joint effusion and gradually leading to articular cartilage loss, erosions of bony margins involving the joint and finally gross distortion of the joint with bony subluxations and dislocations.

Tubercular arthritis of the shoulder can present with cold abscesses and sinus tract formation which is more common in children while the dry form(also known as caries sicca) is common in adults in which there is bony erosions, articular cartilage loss, capsular thickening/contracture and subluxation/dislocation without pus formation.

In this case, there is gross bursitis and capsulitis as well as marked bony erosions and advanced arthritis changes.

A bursal aspirate was obtained which showed the presence of granulomatous cells.