Osteomyelitis/diskitis
Infection of the disk (diskitis) or vertebral body (osteomyelitis) can cause pain, fever, weakness, or neurologic injury with subsequent leg and/or arm weakness. Causes of infection include bacteria, fungus, and tuberculosis. Treatment for infections of the spine include antibiotics and surgery. Surgery consists of irrigation and debridement (I & D) and stabilization of the spine using metal plates and or/screws. Patients who have failed antibiotic treatment, extensive bony or disk infection or epidural abcesses causing spinal cord compression are better suited for surgical treatment.