Discitis, also called discitis, is inflammation between the spaces of the intervertebral discs in the spine. Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae and spaces between them are called intervertebral disc spaces. Swelling in these spaces puts pressure on the discs and results in pain. Chronic back pain is a rare complication of discitis. Discitis itself is relatively rare and usually affects young children.
Discitis is one of many kinds of spinal inflammation which can cause irritation and swelling of your spine’s surrounding vertebrae, joints, and tissues. Discitis often accompanies another medical condition called osteomyelitis, an infection with inflammation of the bone or the bone marrow.
Discitis is normally caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infections. However, discitis can also be caused by an autoimmune disorder, a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and damages its own tissues.
Common symptoms of discitis are swelling and pain in the affected area of the spine, often the lower or upper back. Additional symptoms may include:
To arrive at an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may order several tests, such as:
Your doctor is likely to prescribe oral medications to treat the condition. For example, antibiotics for a bacterial infection or an anti-inflammatory medication for autoimmune reaction.
The doctor may also prescribe steroids to help relieve inflammation with severe or chronic discitis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be recommended to help relieve pain.
Other common treatments include but are not limited to:
In severe cases of discitis, the doctor may opt for invasive surgeries to resolve the problem. The surgery is likely to involve reconstruction of the affected areas in the spine to improve function and mobility.
You are at risk of developing discitis if you:
Also, children under age 10 are more prone to discitis.