Discitis Treatment & Information
Overview
Discitis is an infection that happens between the vertebrae of your spine. It is a complicated infection to treat since the vertebrae have low blood supply, and most antibiotics are transmitted through the bloodstream. There are no surgical procedures available to treat this particular infection, but there are special IV antibiotic treatments as well as other non-surgical treatments available to get you back on your feet.
ANATOMY
The spine consists of 33 individual bones (vertebrae) that interlock. The vertebrae are categorized into five regions:
- Cervical.
- Thoracic.
- Lumbar.
- Sacrum.
- Coccyx.

Intervertebral disks sit between the vertebrae and are the shock absorbers for the spine. They are flat, round, about half an inch thick and made up of two components — the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus. The nucleus has a jelly-like consistency, found in the center of the disk. The “jelly” allows the disk to be flexible and strong. The annulus is the flexible outer ring of the disk and consists of several layers. When moving or standing, weight is put on the nucleus, causing it to expand while the annulus holds it in place. Together, the nucleus and annulus allow for movement to take place while simultaneously maintaining the strength of the spine.
DESCRIPTION
Discitis is a rare infection of the disks between the vertebra of the spine and is very difficult to treat. Like appendicitis, this illness is usually a bacterial infection, but can also be viral. Spinal disks do not have a strong blood supply, so if the bacteria or virus are there, it is tough for the body’s immune cells to reach and heal the infection. Another issue is that since medication used to heal infections (like antibiotics) travels through the bloodstream, spinal infections cannot easily be treated with antibiotics because the medication may never make it to the infection.
There are two types of discitis. One is the result of interference at the site of the infection by a surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedure. For example, surgery on the back or a needle placed in the back can introduce pathogens, a bacterium, virus, or other microorganisms that can cause disease.
The other type is “spontaneous” discitis, caused by an infecting organism, either bacterial or viral, that comes to the disk by the blood from the kidney, bladder, nose, throat, lungs, intestine, gums, pelvic infections, or any other entry into the body. This usually causes a blood-borne attack that leads to an infection.
SYMPTOMS
If you have discitis, you will probably experience severe pain in part of your spine. Other symptoms can include:
- Changes in your posture.
- Stiffness in your back.
- Difficulty performing regular mobility tasks.
- Abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Fever.

DIAGNOSIS
Your Florida Orthopaedic Institute physician will take a look at your symptoms and choose to order some tests to get a better idea of your symptoms. These tests may include:
- Blood Tests: This test collects a sample of your blood which gives a red and white blood cells count which can help diagnose infection.
- Bone Scans: This test is used to take a more in-depth look at your vertebrae, which can help your physician assess the vitality of the bone and learn if you have a bone infection.
- Imaging Tests: These tests create pictures of your spine as well as the surrounding tissues. Some examples of these types of tests include x-rays and MRIs.
- Tissue Analysis: In some cases, your physician may order a biopsy of your spinal tissue to collect a sample for analysis. This can help them develop their diagnosis.
DISCITIS TREATMENT OVERVIEW
Although this type of spinal infection is difficult to treat, it is treatable and usually results in an uncomplicated cure. That being said, it takes a very long course of antibiotic therapy given intravenously (through an IV), every day at an infusion center. The standard treatment requires six to eight weeks of this antibiotic therapy. Pain is treated with painkillers and patients should move as little as possible, and a brace may be recommended to enforce this.
Activity of other parts of the body not affected, like arm exercises, should be done to prevent generalized weakness. Eating a healthy diet and responsible drinking are probably important. The prolonged treatment course and the considerable pain and immobility can lead to situational depression that is treated if present.
NEXT STEPS
Most people who have this condition make a full recovery. If you have a viral infection, it may heal on its own. If you have a bacterial infection, it will likely resolve with antibiotics. If an underlying autoimmune problem is causing your condition, your doctor will focus on diagnosing and treating that issue, which may be more persistent than your discitis.
If you are experiencing back pain, call for an appointment with a fellowship trained Florida Orthopaedic Institute physician.
Areas of Focus
- Spine
- Anterior Cervical Corpectomy & Discectomy
- Artificial Disk Replacement (ADR)
- Bone Cement Injection
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Discectomy
- Discitis Treatment & Information
- Epidural Injections for Spinal Pain
- Foraminotomy
- Interlaminar Implants
- Interlaminar Lumbar Instrumental Fusion: ILIF
- Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
- Kyphosis
- Laminectomy: Decompression Surgery
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
- Lumbar Interbody Fusion (IBF)
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Outpatient Spine Surgery
- Pinched Nerve
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Fusion
- Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis
- Vertebroplasty
- Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)
The following Florida Orthopaedic Institute physicians specialize in Spinal Infections:
Specialties
- AC Joint Injuries
- Achilles Tendinitis - Achilles Insertional Calcific Tendinopathy (ACIT)
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Achilles Tendonitis
- ACL Injuries
- Ankle Fracture Surgery
- Ankle Fractures (Broken Ankle)
- Ankle Fusion Surgery
- Anterior Cervical Corpectomy & Discectomy
- Arthroscopic Articular Cartilage Repair
- Arthroscopic Chondroplasty
- Arthroscopic Debridement of the Elbow
- Arthroscopy Of the Ankle
- Articular Cartilage Restoration
- Artificial Disk Replacement (ADR)
- Aspiration of the Olecranon Bursa - Fluid In Elbow
- Atraumatic Shoulder Instability
- Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)
- Bankart Repair
- Basal Joint Surgery
- Bicep Tendon Tear
- Bicep Tenodesis
- Bone Cement Injection
- Bone Growth Stimulation
- Bone Health Clinic
- Broken Collarbone
- Bunions
- Bursitis of the Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)
- Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Charcot Joint
- Chiropractic
- Clavicle Fractures
- Colles’ Fractures (Broken Wrist)
- Common Foot Fractures in Athletes
- Community Outreach
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
- Deep Thigh Bruising
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Discectomy
- Discitis Treatment & Information
- Dislocated Shoulder
- Dupuytren’s Disease
- Elbow
- Elbow Bursitis
- Elbow Injuries & Inner Elbow Pain in Throwing Athletes
- Epidural Injections for Spinal Pain
- Finger Dislocation
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Foot Stress Fractures
- Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg
- Foraminotomy
- Fractured Fingers
- Fractures Of The Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
- Fractures Of The Tibial Spine
- Functional Nerve Transfers of The Hand
- Ganglion Cysts
- General Orthopedics
- Glenoid Labrum Tear
- Golfer's Elbow
- Groin Strains and Pulls
- Growth Plate Injuries Of The Elbow
- Hallux Rigidus Surgery - Cheilectomy
- Hammer Toe
- Hamstring Injuries
- Hand & Finger Replantation
- Hand & Wrist
- Hand Nerve Decompression
- Hand Skin Grafts
- Hand, Wrist, Elbow & Shoulder
- Heat Injury/Heat Prostration
- High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmosis Ligament Injury)
- Hip & Thigh
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Hip Dislocation
- Hip Flexor Strains
- Hip Fractures
- Hip Hemiarthroplasty
- Hip Impingement Labral Tears
- Hip Muscle Strains
- Hip Pointers and Trochanteric Bursitis
- Hyperextension Injury of the Elbow
- Iliopsoas Tenotomy
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Impingement Syndrome of the Shoulder
- Interlaminar Implants
- Interlaminar Lumbar Instrumental Fusion: ILIF
- Interventional Pain Management
- Interventional Spine
- Intraarticular Calcaneal Fracture
- Joint Replacement
- Knee & Leg
- Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
- Kyphosis
- Labral Tears Of The Hip (Acetabular Labrum Tears)
- Laminectomy: Decompression Surgery
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injuries
- Lisfranc Injuries
- Little League Shoulder
- LITTLE LEAGUER'S ELBOW (MEDIAL APOPHYSITIS)
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
- Lumbar Interbody Fusion (IBF)
- MACI
- Mallet, Hammer & Claw Toes
- Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries
- Meniscus Tears
- Metatarsalgia
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Muscle Spasms
- Muscle Strains of The Calf
- Nerve Pain
- Neuromas (Foot)
- Neurosurgery
- Olecranon Stress Fractures
- Orthopaedic Total Wellness
- Orthopedic Physician Or A Podiatrist? Definition of a Podiatrist
- Orthopedic Trauma
- Osteoarthritis of the Hip
- Osteoporosis
- Outpatient Spine Surgery
- Partial Knee Replacement
- Patellar Fracture
- Pelvic Ring Fractures
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery (Hand) Revision
- Pinched Nerve
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Podiatry
- Primary Care Sports Medicine
- Quadriceps Tendon Tear
- Radial Tunnel Syndrome (Entrapment of the Radial Nerve)
- Revascularization of the Hand
- Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Shoulder
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Hand
- Robotics
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Runner's Knee
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Shin Splints
- Shoulder
- Shoulder Arthritis
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Shoulder Injury: Pain In The Overhead Athlete
- Shoulder Replacement
- Shoulder Separations
- Shoulder Socket Fracture (Glenoid Fracture)
- SLAP Tears & Repairs
- Spinal Fusion
- Spine
- Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis
- Sports Foot Injuries
- Sports Hernias (Athletic Pubalgia)
- Sports Medicine
- Sports Wrist and Hand Injuries
- Sprained Ankle
- Sprained Wrist Symptoms and Treatment
- Subacromial Decompression
- Sudden (Acute) Finger, Hand & Wrist Injuries
- Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR)
- Tendon Transfers of The Hand
- Tennis Elbow Treatment
- Thigh Fractures
- Thigh Muscle Strains
- Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries
- Total Ankle Replacement
- Total Hip Arthroplasty
- Total Hip Replacement - Anterior Approach
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery
- Trapezius Strain (Muscle Strain of The Upper Back)
- Traumatic Shoulder Instability
- Tricep Pain & Tendonitis
- Trigger Finger
- Turf Toe
- UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) Injuries
- Ulnar Neuritis
- Valgus Extension Overload
- Vertebroplasty
- WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet)
- Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)
- Wound Care
- Wrist Arthroscopy
- Wrist Fractures
- Wrist Tendonitis
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