Causes of Discitis Are Divided into 2 Types
- Infection-related inflammation Mostly, it spreads from bloodstream infections, but the bacteria attach to the spinal area and then spread to the intervertebral disc. It can also occur from injections or dye injections into the disc, carrying the bacteria along. This is the point where infection can occur. Treatment is done by using antibiotics.
- Inflammation from body degeneration which gradually worsens. The intervertebral disc develops cracks, and the body has never recognized what is inside the disc before. Therefore, the body perceives the material leaking from the disc as foreign substances and needs to eliminate them, causing inflammation.
Symptoms of Discitis
Injury to the intervertebral disc is one cause of back pain. The disc itself has very few nerves. When it cracks or bulges, it does not cause pain in the disc itself but may cause inflammation or compression of nearby ligaments, bones, and nerves, resulting in pain in the lower back and possibly pain in the legs.
Discitis is a condition that is difficult to diagnose. The most prominent symptom is back pain, which can have many causes. However, the specific pain related to discitis is the inability to sit for long periods. The pain improves when standing or arching the back but worsens when bending forward. This symptom persists for a long time. In cases of chronic back pain with no identified cause, and when treatment or physical therapy does not improve the symptoms, discitis should be suspected.
