Discitis, or diskitis, is an inflammation that develops between the intervertebral discs of your spine. It primarily affects young children and can often accompany osteomyelitis, an infection affecting the bones and bone marrow. Here’s a detailed overview of the condition, including its symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outlook.
Symptoms of Discitis
- Significant spinal pain: Lower and upper back pain.
- Posture changes: Altered body posture due to pain.
- Back stiffness: Difficulty in movement.
- Abdominal pain: Discomfort in the abdomen.
- Fever: Elevated body temperature.
Causes of Discitis
- Infections: Viral or bacterial infections.
- Autoimmune disorders: Body’s immune system attacking its own tissues.
- Swelling and inflammation: Resulting from infections or autoimmune responses.
Risk Factors
- Autoimmune disorders
- Weakened immune system
- Intravenous drug use
- Post-surgery recovery
- Children under age 10
Diagnosis of Discitis
- Blood Tests:
- Complete blood count (CBC): To check for elevated white blood cells indicating infection.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): To identify inflammation.
- Bone Scans:
- Use of radioactive material to assess bone vitality and detect infections.
- Imaging Tests:
- X-rays and MRIs: To create pictures of the spine and surrounding tissues.
- Tissue Analysis:
- Biopsy: Collection of spinal tissue samples for analysis.
Treatment of Discitis
Medications:
- Antibiotics: For bacterial infections.
- Anti-inflammatory medications: For autoimmune reactions.
- Steroids: For severe or chronic cases.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): For pain relief.
Lifestyle Modifications:
- Bed rest: To allow the spine to heal.
- Activity changes: To reduce strain on the spine.
- Back braces: For support and to limit movement.
Invasive Treatments:
- Surgery: Rarely, for reconstructing spine areas and resolving complications from discitis and osteomyelitis.
Long-term Outlook
- Good prognosis: Most cases resolve with appropriate treatment.
- Viral infections: May heal on their own.
- Bacterial infections: Typically resolve with antibiotics.
- Autoimmune causes: Focus on treating the underlying issue.
- Complications: Chronic back pain and medication side effects are rare but possible.
- Follow-up: Necessary if pain increases or returns, indicating the need for additional treatments.
Consulting your doctor for personalized information, treatment plans, and long-term outlook is crucial for managing discitis effectively.