SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Children who develop discitis usually do not have symptoms of systemic illness. They may not have a classic fever or an elevated white blood cell count. However, a test referred to as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is usually elevated.

Young children who have discitis are usually very irritable and uncomfortable. The y often refuses to move, more specifically refuse to sit, stand or walk. Infectious discitis may be associated with abrupt and progressive back pain with or without a fever.  Discitis can also occur via gradual almost insidious onset of severe back pain. The spine complaints may or may not be associated with constitutional symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, malaise, nauseas, loss of appetite or other symptoms. The pain associated with discitis often radiates to other areas of the body such as the shoulder, hip, abdomen, leg, or groin.

Later in the stage the disease diagnostic imaging studies may reveal that the adjacent vertebral margins of the infected disc have become. The degree of the erosive change is related to the severity infectious process.

CAUSES

The causes of infectious and non-infectious discitis include:

• Local infection
• Surgical intrusion into the disc
• Sero positive spondyloarthropathy
• Severe acute disc herniation

RISK FACTORS

A certain group of individuals are at risk for developing infectious discitis. Risk factors include:

• Age under 10
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Malnourished state
• Immunosupression due to any cause including medical treatment
• Diabetes

If you experience neck or back pain that interferes with your normal activities for longer than a few days, call your doctor to be evaluated. If neck or back pain increases when you cough or sneeze you may have a herniated disc. If you experience neck or back pain that persists or progresses you should be seen by a physician. If you lose control of your bladder or bowels, or if you develop numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, seek prompt medical attention. If you develop numbness and weakness in both legs you may have a condition referred to as a cauda equina syndrome. This can develop secondary to compression of several spinal nerves in the low back (lumbar spine). Causes include a cyst, tumor, disc herniation or abcess.. This condition may require prompt surgery