Spine Infection

Diagnosing Spine Infections

Symptoms of a spine infection vary but generally start with pain that originates from the infection site.

Signs & Symptoms

In addition to localized pain, symptoms of a spine infection may include:

• Fever and chills
• Muscle spasms
• Redness and swelling
• Severe back pain
• Stiff neck
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness or numbness in your legs and arms
• Wound drainage

Diagnosis

In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may use one or more of the following tests to diagnose a spine infection:

• Blood test—to look for signs of infection.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan—to produce detailed images of your spine.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—to produce detailed pictures of your organs, tissues and bones.
• X-rays—of your bones and spine.

Spine Infection Treatment

We offer advanced care for all spine infections. Depending on the type and severity of your infection, we may recommend these treatment options:

• Antibiotics or antifungal medications
• Bracing devices
• CT-guided biopsy—to extract a sample of the bacteria or fungus causing the infection.
• Surgery—to remove infected tissue, restore stability and improve healing.

If you need surgery, we use minimally invasive, leading-edge techniques so you can feel confident in your choice of care.