What is a Spinal Infection?

A spinal infection is a rare, but often serious, form of disease that occurs when bacteria, fungi, or viruses invade the spinal tissues. These foreign agents can attack pretty much any part of the spine that you can image. This includes the vertebrae, spinal discs, meninges, spinal canal… and even the spinal cord.

When these pathogens infect our intervertebral discs, doctors refer to this condition as Discitis, or disc inflammation. When these bugs attack the bones of our spine, we refer to the disease as Osteomyelitis.

Typically, these infections spread to the spine through the bloodstream. Common bacteria, like Staph or E. Coli, can be introduced into the bloodstream following events such as remote surgery, dental extractions or dental procedures, and can also migrate to the spine in the event of infections anywhere in the body, such as ear infections, sinusitis, endocarditis or seen in patients exposed to used or infected needles. On rare occasions people can be exposed to rare pathogens that travel to the spine such as tuberculosis or brucella infections from contaminated food or milk.

Unlike the common cold, which is usually pretty harmless, spinal infections can be serious and potentially life threatening. As spinal discs become inflamed from disease, they may start to break down or even decay. If the vertebral bodies also become infected, then the bones that form your spinal column can crack or fracture. Spinal fractures tend to make the spine very unstable. Unfortunately, this means that the weight of your torso may cause your entire spine to pitch forward. A form of spinal deformity, kyphosis occurs when the thoracic spine (or upper back) develops a forward hump.

Other issues linked to spinal infections include nerve pain and the buildup of pus, known as an abscess. Abscesses—aside from being extremely painful—can place pressure on your spinal cord. Also known as spinal stenosis, narrowing of the spinal canal can lead to nerve pain, muscle weakness, and even paralysis.