Spinal Infection

Spinal infection can be bacterial or fungal in and around the spine or backbone. They can cause different symptoms depending on what type of infection you have. The infection is rare but more severe than you can imagine. The symptoms may develop very slowly, making it difficult to figure out. It might take a week to realize that you may have a cold, and from weeks to months to find out if you have a spinal infection. If you feel you may have a spinal infection, it requires immediate medical attention. Different types of spinal infections can affect anybody, such as discitis, osteomyelitis, and an epidural abscess. Osteomyelitis is found on vertebral bone, while discitis is the disc infection between the two vertebrae. Meanwhile, the epidural abscess is a pus between the dura (membrane covering the spinal cord and nerve root). Different infections can have various symptoms, but severe back pain, fever, chills, or tenderness are common.

What Causes Spinal Infection?

Bacteria or fungi in and around the spine or backbone are responsible for spinal infection in the body. If bacteria or fungus in any part of the body travels through the bloodstream into the spinal cord, it can cause spinal infection. Several reasons include:

• IV drug use
• Cancer
• Diabetes mellitus
• Past organ transplant
• Malnutrition
• Immunosuppressant medications

How is Spinal Infection Diagnosed?

Diagnosis can take a long time as symptoms may take weeks or months to appear. Sometimes, people do not pay heed and wait for their symptoms to become severe. However, it is not recommended to sleep over the symptoms; instead, act on it. Reach out to Advanced Pain Consultants, PA at (919) 800-0850 as we provide the best patient care and help get back to the routine. We offer a thorough diagnosis with medical history, family history, signs, or symptoms, followed by examinations. Lab tests like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are good indicators. It is also vital to pinpoint the location, possible through imaging tests like CT and MRI scans.

Schedule your appointment today at our pain management center in Raleigh.