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Spinal Osteomyelitis (Spine Infection)

What is Spinal Osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis-spine-infectionOsteomyelitis is an infection of the vertebral body in the spine. It is also referred to as spinal osteomyelitis, vertebral osteomyelitis or spinal infection.

This infection is rare in young children. However, common in the elderly. It is typically caused by bacteria and can spread into the spine disc spaces.

The infection is typically spread to the vertebral body through a vascular route. The veins in the lower spine drain the pelvis. In turn, providing a direct root of entry for bacteria to enter the spine.

Osteomyelitis Symptoms:

It’s likely that symptoms of back pain will develop over time. However, it is not an early symptom. These additional symptoms may include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Fatige
  • Irritability
  • Pain that worsens at night
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Swelling
  • Warmth and redness around the infection site

Causes of a Spinal Infection:

In most cases, a bacteria called Staphylococcus Aureus (staph bacteria), causes osteomyelitis. However, some people are more subsceptable to the infection, such as:

  • Elderly
  • Drug users
  • People with compromised immune systems

People who have certain conditions are also subsecptable, such as:

  • Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
  • Organ transplant patients
  • Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
  • Long-term systemic administration of steroids to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
  • Malnutrition
  • Cancer

It’s unfortunate, however, drug abuse is a rapidly increasing cause of spinal infections. The infection that is most likely to infect the spine is called Staphylococcus Aureus. Although in the intravenous drug use population, Pseudomonas infection more common.

Treatment of a Spinal Infection

Diagnosing osteomyelitis can be difficult. Doctors must rely on MRI’s, X-Rays, blood tests, and bone scans. These tests will be able to help determine if its an infection. Next, a biopsy must be done to determine that type of organism that is cauing the bacteria. Thereafter determining this, the correct medication will be prescribed.

When treating a spinal infection, the focus is to stop the infection from spreading. This will help surgical intervention also. The first step is to treat with IV antibiotics for a few weeks. Next, is to treat with oral antibiotics.

Treatment for a more serious chronic infection, however, is surgery. Osteomyelitis surgery prevents the infection from spreading further or getting so bad that amputation is the only remaining option.

For more information on treatment of a spinal infection, call 888-409-8006. Treatment from top spine surgeons in South Florida.

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