What is the treatment for discitis?
Discitis is treatable, though, and it’s typically done so with a 6- to 8-week course of antibiotics given intravenously (IV). Administration of an IV antibiotic may require you to receive treatment on an outpatient basis. Completing the entire course of antibiotic therapy is paramount to managing discitis.
How long does it take to heal from discitis?
TREATMENT OVERVIEW Discitis is treatable and usually results in an uncomplicated cure. But 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.
Is discitis fatal?
Relatively uncommon, only one out of every 100,000 people in the U.S. will develop discitis. It is more common in children and adolescents, but can still occur in adults. Despite treatment advances, discitis remains potentially deadly.
Is discitis a medical emergency?
Discitis is a serious but uncommon medical diagnosis. It is an infection of the intervertebral disc space.
Is discitis acute or chronic?
Signs and symptoms If untreated, the discitis may resolve on its own, causing spontaneous fusion of the intervertebral disc space, cause a chronic low grade infection, or progress to osteomyelitis and possibly even an epidural abscess.
Why is discitis so painful?
Discitis, or diskitis, is inflammation that develops between the intervertebral discs of your spine. These discs are located between your vertebrae. The spaces between them are called intervertebral disc spaces. Swelling in these spaces can put pressure on the discs, leading to pain.
Can you fully recover from discitis?
Discitis is treatable and usually results in an uncomplicated cure. However, it takes a very long course of antibiotic therapy that is usually given intravenously every day at an infusion center. The standard therapy requires six to eight weeks of this intravenous antibiotic therapy.
What is the best antibiotic for discitis?
The most common antibiotics used were vancomycin/cefepime/linezolid along with amikacin and metronidazole. Antibiotic treatment was tailored in two culture positive patients after surgical debridement. Antifungal treatment (fluconazole 150 mg PO for 3 weeks) was added in one urine culture positive patient.
Can discitis heal itself?
The outlook for most people who have discitis is good. If you have a viral infection, it may heal on its own. If you have a bacterial infection, it will likely resolve with antibiotics.
What happens if discitis is not treated?
However discitis can cause long term effects including pain and mobility issues if not treated properly and in a timely fashion. In the worst case scenarios, discitis can cause paralysis and a complete spinal cord injury.