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

  1. Blood Tests:
    • Complete blood count (CBC): To check for elevated white blood cells indicating infection.
    • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): To identify inflammation.
  2. Bone Scans:
    • Use of radioactive material to assess bone vitality and detect infections.
  3. Imaging Tests:
    • X-rays and MRIs: To create pictures of the spine and surrounding tissues.
  4. 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.