spinal infections, are pathologies that can significantly affect the patient's quality of life. Identifying the symptoms in time is essential to prevent the progression of the infection and more complex treatments. In this article, we will discuss vertebral infections, their symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
What are spinal infections?
Spinal infections occur when a microorganism, such as bacteria, fungi or parasites, settles in the spinal column, causing an infection. Depending on the route of access of the microorganism, the infection can be located in cavities or in the tissues of the spine.
These infections are common in children. due to the vascular endings present in the intervertebral discs, which makes it easier for microorganisms to reach the vertebrae.
Causes of spinal infection
Spinal infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi and parasites that invade the spinal column area. These infections can have various causes. Firstly, there are infections via the hematogenous route, that is, the Microorganisms that cause infection spread through the blood.
On the other hand, there are infections caused by direct external inoculation, that is, in cases where the infection enters the body from outside, normally through lumbar punctures.
In other cases, spinal infection can be triggered by contiguity of other nearby tissues; in these cases, there is an infection in another tissue that reproduces in the vertebral area.
In addition, in many cases it is common for vertebral infections to be the consequence of post-surgery, especially in cases of patients with pathologies related to the immune system.
Types of spinal infection
The types of spinal infection vary depending on the causes and the area of the spine affected.. One type of infection is infectious discitis, which affects the intervertebral disc and is caused by the E. coli bacteria in most cases. When the infection is more extensive and affects both the vertebra and the intervertebral disc, we would speak of spondylodiscitis, a more serious condition that may require more aggressive treatment.
In other cases, the infection can degenerate into a type of arthritis that originates in the bones and joints of the spine itself called ankylosing spondylitis. In more severe cases, in which the infection affects the membranes of the nervous system, it is called meningitis.
Symptoms of spinal infection
Spinal infections often manifest with the appearance of pain in the back, particularly in the lumbar region. This pain can be intense and persistent, accompanied by general malaise and fever. As the infection progresses, the patient may show other symptoms such as weakness, loss of mobility in the spine and general malaise.
Consequences of spinal infections
Spinal infections can have serious consequences if not diagnosed and treated in time. The main consequences include chronic pain, nerve compression, epidural abscesses, spinal deformities, partial or total paralysis, sepsis and spinal instability. It is essential to detect and treat spinal infections in a timely manner to avoid these serious complications.
Diagnosis of spinal infections
When the patient goes to the spinal infection specialistThe first thing that will be done is a complete blood test to check that there are no changes in the values. In addition, in cases where the infection develops after surgery, a physical examination and exploration of the wound will be performed.
Various imaging tests are used to determine the extent of the infection and its exact location. The most common tests in these cases are: X-ray, MRI and CT scan.
In more complex or severe cases, a bone gram may be performed, which can provide information on whether the infection has spread. In addition, in some cases a biopsy is performed to obtain a sample of the infected tissue, allowing a more precise analysis of the type of microorganism causing the infection.
Treatment of spinal infections
After confirming the diagnosis of a spinal infection, initial treatment usually includes anti-inflammatory drugs, which help relieve the patient's pain.
Besides, In many cases it is necessary for the patient to undergo antibiotic treatment that helps reduce infection. Antibiotics can be of two types: first, intravenous antibiotics that reach the infected area directly through the blood, and antibiograms, which are antibiotics that are applied after a culture has been performed.
In more severe cases, spinal surgery may be necessary. This procedure may include cleaning out the infection and debriding the area, or in more advanced infections, removal of the area may be performed. Our spinal orthopedists are experts in treating spinal infections.
Prevention of spinal infections
In many cases, spinal infections cannot be avoidedHowever, there are certain recommendations that can help reduce the risk of its occurrence.
First of all, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with balanced partying and limited alcohol consumption.
On the other hand, it is advisable to avoid impact sports that can cause back overload, and it is recommended perform strengthening exercises that help maintain balance and stability of the spine.
If any symptoms appear that may indicate a spinal infection, it is important to see a specialist who will apply the appropriate treatment to prevent the injury from affecting the patient's quality of life. At ICAC we are a clinic specialising in spinal infections in Madrid and we treat all pathologies caused by spinal infections.
55 thoughts on “Infecciones vertebrales: qué son y cuáles son sus causas”
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Thanks a lot for your comment!
Thank you very much for your explanation
My eight-year-old son feels a sensation of having an egg in his spine. I repeat, he feels a sensation in the lower back of his lumbar spine.. we don't know what it could be..
Hello Laura!
The most advisable thing is that you go to the pediatrician, since in stages of growth it is common for back pain to appear, but it is important that your trusted pediatrician can study the symptoms. If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you in our email info@cirugiadecolumnavertebral.com
All the best!
Good morning
Approximately 5 months ago, my father, an adult over 75 years of age, underwent cervical spine surgery because he had bone destruction of the C5 and C6 vertebrae. If I am not wrong, his symptoms were pain in the neck, shoulders, back, with stiffness in the neck and acute pain. They removed the damaged vertebrae and placed a titanium vertebral body. When performing a biopsy of the area, they found that it was bone tuberculosis (Pott's disease) and treatment for tuberculosis was started. But after two months or so he began to feel pain in his left hip and pain in his back. They ordered a CT scan and found that he had an abscess in the right sacroiliac area; When the infectious disease specialist saw her case and that the discomfort was increasing despite the treatment, she sent us to perform an exam to detect brucella and it came out positive, and now the doctors find themselves in a mystery where they do not know if it is tuberculosis or brucellosis because by checking again In the April biopsy, they said that there could have been a confusion because both are made up of giant cells and the study came out non-specific. They also began to do the treatment for Brucella along with the treatment for tuberculosis. A few days ago I took him to consult with the Neurosurgeon to check his cervical spine and they took a control X-ray and something is wrong, there seems to be an infection above the titanium vertebral body in C3 and C4 and he sent me to remove tomography, that study will be performed on Monday.
My dad and I feel helpless in the face of all this because we don't know what he has, tuberculosis or brucellosis, because not even the doctors understand what could be happening. I hope they can help me.
Thank you.
Good morning, Rachel!
We are very sorry for your father's pain, from our experience we know that it is not easy for him. In addition, the uncertainty of not knowing exactly what pathology is present is added.
Firstly and most importantly, your father should go to a specialist trauma doctor who will study his case in a personalized way and offer him a specific and exact diagnosis to apply the best possible treatment. Our Institute of Advanced Spine Surgery is an expert in spine pathologies. You can make an appointment with Dr. Elgeadi, a pioneer in the spinal endoscopy technique, by calling our phone number.
All the best!
Hello! I have had lower back pain for 5 months. It started a couple of months after giving birth by cesarean section. I have had lumbar and sacroiliac MRIs and nothing can be seen, the blood tests are also good. I have consulted with rheumatologists, neurologist and traumatologist. The last rheumatologist told me that it would go away on its own. What I can do? Thank you
Good morning, Maria!
It would be necessary for you to go to a specialist trauma doctor as is Dr. Elgeadi's team. They are experts in minimally invasive surgeries and have performed more than 9,000 operations on patients with trauma injuries. They will study your case effectively and precisely, and you can opt for conservative or surgical treatment.
All the best!
Hello, I would like you to help me. And 3 months ago I had cosmetic surgery and since I started having pain in the part of my spine I have had an MRI, blood tests and more but they only tell me that I have a bacteria that they have not yet determined. I am undergoing treatment to reduce inflammation but one day I feel good and another not to the point that I can't move on my own I can't walk anymore. I'm from Ecuador and I don't know what to do.
Good morning, Rachel.
Thank you very much for your interest in the blog.
Since we have not seen your tests, we cannot make a definitive diagnosis or recommend treatment without seeing you first. If you wish, please contact our spine specialist team and we will make an appointment to evaluate your injury.
A hug.
Hello, I'm Matilde! Approximately 1 year ago I felt that lower back pain and days later something stopped inside my back (epidural area) and it was pus, I ignored it because I didn't see any importance but now I am feeling a similar pain that is worse a little higher up.
Good morning, Matilde.
Given these symptoms, it is recommended that you go to a specialist traumatologist to perform a complete medical diagnosis. You can contact our Madrid trauma clinic and make an appointment.
All the best.
Good evening, I am 36 years old, and when I was 17, I had a fall from the second floor, I fell on my back, for a week without being able to walk, unfortunately I was not seen, and in that same year, I started getting headaches, which The first thing they did to me was a CT scan, I didn't have anything wrong with my head, and the doctors decided to tell me it was a migraine, I agreed with that, and for years and years I have been on medicines, each time different ones, and I know all the pills, injections, and In addition, every year my pain got worse, the pills no longer do anything, then I continued with the injections, nowadays, the tramadol, mmm for ecocomical reasons, I was never able to make myself look good before, every year it got worse, and the body pains started, I woke up tired, year after year, it got worse, and the pain began to occur more and more, that is to say today, the strong pain begins in the dorsal part and goes up to the head, triggering strong pain, there were days What did I get, morning, noon and night, the tramadol, I didn't understand why the headaches and why it started in the dorsal column, left side, a few months ago, watching on face, I saw laser operations, to the spine, which made me I caught attention, and I decided to make myself seen, because I no longer had hope, not thinking that my problem may never have started in my head, but in my spine due to the strong blow many years ago, the thing is that in my studies I spondylosis came out, and various terms, they told me that I was a candidate for this type of laser operation, because my spine was damaged, degeneration throughout the spine, they told me that more or less my degenerative disease was at least 15 years old, well it coincided with my fall, they told me that my spine looked like a 55 to 60 year old, and well, the laser is expensive, but with effort, today I am in the middle of the process, but there is something I would like to know, I started to see about infections at the spine, because, curiously, the times I have used lincomycin for a throat infection, it relieved me for two or three days, or the pain was not intense those days
I remember all that, and I always used lincomycin for the throat, but the throat pain passed, and yyy mmm again they were intense and I came back with the same thing in terms of headache and back pain, maybe that infection doesn't come out in the resonance????
Apart from spondylosis, could it also be an infection??? Should I wait for my op to finish, with laser? and I just asked for a test to help me rule out if there is an infection? Can I have so much damage to my spine? Because since I was 17, when all this started, I have no life, it is not a life to live like this, and well, at the root From so many medications, other organs were affected. Please, doctor, what opinion do you have? And I also just want to point out that at the age of 27 I got herpes zoster, on my back, dorsal area on the left side, this disease made my life even more complicated. Please, I hope you can give me your opinion, to see if I should ask for an order for an exam to see if there is an infection, because the pain is going down, but mmm it still hasn't gotten better, maybe as I thought, and well, it's been a while. For a week I continued to have severe pain, and I got sick with my throat, I prescribed lincomycin, because I no longer have much confidence, since I saw too many doctors, the truth is I self-medicate, and the week that passed, the pain went down again and I realized the relief, I spent the week on lincomycin and again, that pain like burning in my back and it goes up to my head, please, what can I do?
Good morning, Lizsi.
Thank you for reading and commenting on our blog. We are very sorry for your pathology. Write us an email at clinicaelgeadi@clinicaelgeadi.com so that our specialist traumatologists can detail all the information you need.
All the best.
Good evening, I am 22 years old and for a few months I have felt discomfort in my back when I go to sleep, it is a burning sensation that makes it seem like I have a fever but it is only in my back, and it does not go away with baths.
Good morning, Yamara.
Thank you very much for reading our blog. We cannot offer you a complete medical diagnosis without having first studied the affected area. Therefore, it would be necessary for you to go to our Institute of Advanced Spine Surgery to perform the necessary tests.
All the best.
Good evening, I think you can help me, my husband has 4 spinal operations in L4 and L5 with bars and screws. At this moment he has lost mobility to walk and his neck and shoulders hurt a lot, I don't know what to do, We are in Venezuela
Good morning, Magaly.
We are very sorry for the pain your husband is suffering. You can send an email to our trauma doctors telling in detail the pathology.
All the best.
GOOD NIGHT
Excuse me Dr. If there is such an infection in the spine, eating foods like pork, or shellfish, or chili, hot pepper, are these foods that affect? Or does it have nothing to do with it? Or what foods and drinks should not be consumed? »»»»'????????????».
Thank you for your attention.
Good evening, 6 years ago I had problems during my pregnancy, my hip felt dislocated, my back hurt and it was difficult to walk, during childbirth they gave me an epidural. The problem has persisted over the years. At first I thought it was normal because the baby was big, but they ordered me to undergo physiotherapy. And since last year I have had a blood infection that does not go away, my doctor has already done several studies to find out what caused it and so far he has not found anything. Do you think it could be a spinal infection?
Good morning, Mel.
Thank you very much for your comment. We are sorry for the situation you are in. The most advisable thing would be to carry out a complete medical study of the area and be able to determine the most appropriate treatment. You can contact our team of experts at the following link: https://columna.com/contacto/
All the best.
Good evening, is there a possibility that only with an MRI and having the laboratory tests not altered and in a normal line can you detect a lumbar infection? Thanks in advance
Good morning.
Thanks for writing on our blog. If everything goes well and the tests are correct, we would have to look for rare sources of infection. Do not hesitate to contact our team of spinal traumatologists for any questions: https://columna.com/contacto/
All the best.
Hello, my father had surgery last year on his dorsum-lumbar spine. After the surgery, it was fractured. His spine continued to hurt. Now he went to the hospital again. They said they would operate on him again. They would put more pins or pins on him, but he has an infection in his back. the vertebra or infection in a bone, I would like to know what the appropriate treatment would be because they asked me for complete tests and he is diabetic, oh what was this infection due to…
Good morning, Beth.
We are very sorry for your father's pathology. To provide you with information, contact our spinal traumatologists through the link provided.
All the best.
Hello!
My mother has been diagnosed with a spinal infection, she has been hospitalized for 3 weeks and the pain she feels in her lower back, although it has spaced out, is still very intense when it occurs. As far as I know, they are treating her with vancomycin through a catheter, but I don't know if that will help reduce inflammation or when the pain will go away. Do you know an estimated recovery time?
Hi Brenda,
Thank you very much for commenting on our blog. We are sorry for your mother's situation. In this case, a recovery time cannot be determined, as it varies depending on the condition of each patient. If you have any questions, we recommend that you make an appointment with our team. spinal traumatologists in the link provided.
All the best.
What happens is that since I was 16, when I started going to a gym, I began to feel severe pain in my spine. I had a classmate with whom we went to the gym and one time he took me to a doctor to subsequently inject me with testosterone. As a result, my beard began to grow more and I began to have very severe pain in my spine that is now diagnosed as a 16-degree scoliosis. Is it possible that the infection was due to that testosterone and some movement in the gym?
Hello Miguel,
We are extremely sorry for your pathology. In your case, it is best to consult a spinal professional so that they can study the origin of your pathology and thus determine the most appropriate treatment for it. You can contact our spinal traumatologists in the link provided.
All the best.
Thank you for great content. I look forward to the continuation.
Thank you very much for your comment on our blog! 😀
Hello, my brother had surgery for a lumbar hernia. It does not produce fluid in the vertebrae. The first post-operative surgery was with headache and numbness in the right leg. They gave him painkillers and gave him the altam. A week later he entered another surgery due to loss of spinal fluid. They put a containment mesh on it. Two weeks later they take out the stitches. They send him to kinesio. And that's where it all started. Pains so sharp they made him scream. He fainted from the pain. As the days went by it became crooked. He doesn't walk well. Your spine is pulling to the right. A shorter leg. The doctor said he developed a hernia in L3 and L4. The operation was in L4 and L 5. . They do not want to puncture since in his condition he requires complete anesthesia. Nobody wants to see it. And they send us back to the surgeon who operated on him. Two doctors only saw all the CT scans and they say an infection. But does an infection cause spinal deformation?
Hello Daniela,
Thank you very much for commenting on our blog. For cases as specific as that of your siblings, we recommend that you consult with a specialist for a complete medical study, and with this, be able to determine the most appropriate treatment.
Do not hesitate to contact our team expert spine traumatologists in the link provided. All the best.
Hello! I have suffered an infection in the spine due to a bacteria that I don't really know how it got in. With intravenous antibiotics it has been eliminated, but there are no remains. In the 2 months since I had the onset of intense pain, my back has been damaged at a muscular level. My question is if I can go to a physiotherapist who works with Indiba so that the recovery from any injuries I may have is better and faster.
Good afternoon, José.
We cannot give you a diagnosis without seeing you in consultation. For your questions about physiotherapy, we recommend that you request a free first consultation with our partner. physiotherapy of excellence Rekovery Clinic so they can guide you.
All the best.
Hello,
In February 2022 I was admitted for a viridans streptococcus infection. It caused sepsis and subacute spondylodiscitis at L5-S1.
The improvement is constant but with many ups and downs. I still can't sit or drive, in addition to being quite tired some days.
How long can complete physical recovery take?
Thanks a lot!
Good morning Berta,
Thanks for your comment.
We cannot offer you an estimated recovery time, since we would first have to evaluate the affected area. You can request an appointment at our trauma center if you wish.
All the best.
Hello, my husband has a lot of pain in his lower back. He has been going to see a chiropractor but they are not working now. Some studies have told him that he has an infection in his back. How serious can it be? We are from Guanajuato, Mexico. Is there a specific clinic that you recommend?
Good morning Rosario,
We are very sorry for your husband's condition. It would be necessary to go to a specialized trauma center as is ICAC. We regret to inform you that our traumatologists are only located in Madrid, Spain.
All the best.
Hello. A week ago I had emergency surgery for a L5-S1 hernia.
The hernia was almost severing my spinal cord and I almost ended up with a ponytail. Now I am in full recovery and it is incredible how good I feel in relation to the unbearable pain with which I went to the clinic. There was no painkiller to calm me down (not even morphine had any effects)
Now I have rehabilitation left to recover the sensitivity of the outside of my left foot that was damaged by the spinal cord injury, but it's nothing... I could have been left with a ponytail and everything that that means.
Since the 3rd day I have been walking slowly, which is wonderful.
I write this to encourage many people who are going through this and to know that many times there is a solution.
I was operated on by Neurosurgeon Dr. Alfredo Gilbert Ramos, from Peru. Next week I start my therapy to strengthen and recover all my abilities. Greetings!
Thank you very much for your comment Iván and good luck with the process.
Good evening, my daughter had pain in her chest a few months ago, that's what they told me. But now you have reported pain in the back, chest area, burning sensation like when you go to the beach and tenderness in the arms and different areas of the body when touched. I would like to know if it could be something about a spinal infection. or what specialist can I take her to?
Good afternoon,
We should order several tests to check if the cause comes from the spine.
You can make an appointment by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
Good evening, I had lumbar spine surgery due to a fracture. After 2 years, an infection occurred in the screws that were implanted in my vertebrae. They had to do surgery to open me up, clean out the infection, and they treated me with intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks. What do you recommend after this procedure…
Hello Alexis,
We recommend that you carry out the appropriate follow-up with your specialist to verify that the rehabilitation is going well.
Additionally, according to your doctor's instructions, you will have to begin rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Greetings
Good day !!
How to be 100% sure if there is an infection in the spine… if the blood results do not have any alterations?
Hi Karina,
In principle, if the blood test comes out clean, there is no infection, although they can also perform a biopsy.
Greetings
Bonjour, j'ai 63 years, vers l'âge de 10 ans j'ai eu un accident de velo, fractures du femur droit, du tibia et du pied, durant 2 weeks ont m'as ré-operaré 3 fois, l' The femur is sautait vers l'extérieur, the chirurgiens ont decided to take pleasure in a brooch in the femur and it is the same as the 2 jambes jusqu'au nombril during plusieurs mois, 6 mois plus later on the later I removed the brooch et ensuite rééducation ( très dure ).
Arrived at the plus or moins 28 years, when I started with a scoliosis, then the chirurgien discovered a difference of 19mm plus.
Ensuite, les années passante, j'ai commencé à avoir des soucis lombaires, port d'un neuro-stimuleur lombaire durant 14 années et le trait du à une infection, pourtant soignée pendant presqu'une année en vain, s'ensuit après les pires et atroces douleurs, arthrodese L5/S1, fracture L2, L4, dorsal fracture non-traitée, cervical tassement, etc….
J'ai eu 2 thermocoagulation, infiltrations, combination ?? Chute with poignet and clavicle gauches brisés with titanium plate, now in 3
At the doctor's clinic, there are 7 monthly infusions of Ketamine and vit B12 and at this time, QUE POURRAIS-JE pouvoir faire, so much so that this EXTRÊMEMENT douloureux (traitement aux opiacés, oxycodone) et nada, tout ces traitements m'empoisonne le corps, je n'en peux vraiment plus de vivre ainsi
Where are you located? I urgently need your opinion and observation. A friend has been diagnosed with a bacteria in her spine. She can no longer bear the pain, it is difficult for her to walk and get up in the mornings, and she can no longer drive her vehicle....
Good morning Milagros,
We are currently in Madrid and Barcelona. You can request an appointment by making click here.
Greetings
Hello, my partner has 2 discopathies and Modic 1 degeneration and he has a lot of pain. They have given him cortisone and Tramadol... nothing does anything for him... could it be that he needs antibiotics for the Modic 1? They tell him that the pain comes from there. He is 38 years old and has been in a lot of pain for 2 years.
Hello Alberto,
We would have to see the imaging tests and perform a physical examination to have more information about the case.
You can request a consultation by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
Good morning, doctor. My 88-year-old mother came to the EPS for stomach pain. They ran several tests (colonoscopy, CT scan), and diagnosed her with a bacterial infection in her spine. They sent her home and told her they had nothing else to do. They stopped her treatment because she should see improvement in a week. They prescribed morphine drops because the pain is constant and she doesn't want to be moved.
I don't know if we give up on what the doctor says at home or if the doctor can give us another diagnosis.
Thank you
Hello Nancy,
We're so sorry to hear what your mother is going through. It's essential that a spinal condition, especially one involving bacteria, receives proper care and follow-up.
If you feel that the current treatment or diagnosis isn't producing the expected results, it's best to seek a second opinion from a specialist. In cases like this, where there is constant pain and movement complications, it's crucial to have a professional re-evaluate the situation, perhaps with additional tests or a different approach.
If you wish, we can schedule an appointment at our center for a complete evaluation and provide you with a more detailed diagnosis.