Spinal infections are rare in occurrence but, if neglected for a long period of time they may develop as a significant source of pain and disability. Vertebral osteomyelitis is one of the most common spinal infection. Despite medical advancements in the spinal infection treatment, approximately 20 percent of people suffering from spinal infection are reported to die from it.
Spinal infections may develop in a person either post-surgery or may result spontaneously as a result of potent risk factors. The factors responsible to increase the risk of developing spinal infection are as follows:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Malnourishment
- Immunosuppression (either from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or medical treatment for tumors)
- Arthritis
- HIV infection
- Cancer
- Organ transplantation
- Drug addiction
- Diabetes
- Recent urinary tract instrumentation
Symptoms of spinal infection include the following:
- Fever, headache and chills
- Stiffness of neck
- Muscle spasm, and pain
- Redness of wound
- Tenderness of wound
- Drainage of wound
Spinal infection treatment involves a combination of medical interventions including “antibiotic medications, bracing, and rest. The patient undergoes a series of tests including X-ray, CT or CAT scan, MRI, as required. Once the reports finalize that a patient requires surgery, the level of surgery is determined by a team of doctors.The conditions which may require surgery are:
- Significant involvement of osseous
- Neurological deficits
- Septic course with clinical toxicity
- Failure in obtaining culture through needle biopsy
- Failure in eradicating infection through (IV) antibiotics alone.
The multidisciplinary team of doctors at Center Spine India perform surgery to eradicate spinal infection treatment with an aim:
- To clean or remove the infected tissue (Debridement)
- To promote healing, the supply of blood to infected tissue is increased
- Maintaining the spinal stability of the patient
- To limit the degree of neurological impairment in the patient.
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