Pott's disease. Coloured X-ray of the spine of a patient with Pott's disease, or tuberculosis (TB) of the spine. The vertebrae (brown blocks) have become compacted and inflamed (red, yellow), and are pressing on the spinal cord (purple). Pott's disease is characterised by the softening and collapse of the vertebrae resulting in a hunchback deformity (Pott's curvature). Spinal nerves can be affected leading to paralysis (Pott's paraplegia). It is a secondary disease to TB and is caused when the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis moves from the lungs to the spine. Treatment is with antibiotics and immobilisation of the spine.