Spinal infection is a relatively rare kind of diagnosis but can cause significant damage to the patient’s spine. If left untreated or delayed, it can develop into life-threatening severe health complications. An unattended spinal infection can lead to:

Spinal infection targets explicitly the bones, vertebrae, fluid, and soft tissues surrounding the spine.

What are the symptoms of spinal infection?

The primary symptom to look out for is bone tenderness and back pain. However, back pain alone may or may not be the symptom of spinal infection. Other symptoms of the spinal disease include:

In some cases, patients experience neurological problems, which may include numbness, weakness, vision loss, inability to walk, inability to speak, stand, or sit.

What causes Spinal Infections?

It is caused mostly by bacteria including Mycobacteria tuberculosis and fungi, which enter the patient’s body from an infection caused at the other part of the body. The bacteria/fungi travel through the bloodstream and affect the spine. For instance, a patient undergoes surgery or cut himself in an injury.
In some patients, the bacteria target the spinal discs, and once the disc gets infected, it spreads to the other regions of the spine. Over time, the disc will become weak, erode, and collapse, resulting in a damaged spine, vertebrae, and fatality.
In India, the incidence of tuberculosis affecting the spine is very high. A delay in seeking care can have hazardous consequences, while timely interventions usually lead to favorable outcomes.
Visit the best spine surgeon for spinal infection problems before the infection spread in the other parts of the body, press against the spinal cord, and affect multiple bodily functions. If left untreated, the diseased vertebrae fuse and press against the nerve roots, causing shooting pain and discomfort.
Spinal infection can also occur due to the following conditions:

Treatment Overview

Our best spine surgeon in Mumbai first evaluates and examines the patient’s medical history and suggests some blood tests to determine whether or not the infection is present. Imaging tests and MRI scans may also be performed to find the location of the disease. Therefore, doctors encourage people to get a complete health check-up once every year. Early detection of spinal infection can stop it from further spreading in the body system.
Note: Back pain accompanied by any other symptoms mentioned above, needs to be immediately reported to a professional spine surgeon.
The treatment process includes prescribed antibiotics, surgical decompression, antifungal therapy, and stabilization. The surgery is performed to remove the infection, clean the affected area, and stop further neurological damage. Your doctor will discuss the best-suited treatment approach after carefully examining your health and the amount of infection spread in the spine.

Final Thoughts

Not all back pain results from a spinal infection, but an evaluation is always wise to stay on a safe side. Visit the best spine surgeon today for effective diagnosis and safe treatment for spine infection including Spine tuberculosis.