What is a diskite? What are its symptoms? How is it diagnosed? How is it treated? Which doctor should I see?
There are cartilage structures between the spinal bones that separate the bones from each other and allow slight movement. These cartilage structures are called discs. Discitis is the name given to the inflammation of these discs. Although discitis is not very common, it is more commonly observed with a bone infection called osteomyelitis. Discitis may be caused by a bacteria or virus. It can be observed in cases where the immune system is weakened, in those who work in animal husbandry, in those who receive chemotherapy, in those who constantly use medication, or in debilitated people who are treated for Alzheimer's. Sometimes it may occur after herniated disc surgery or cervical disc herniation surgery.
A patient who develops discitis may experience symptoms such as posture disorders, stiffening of the muscles in the area where discitis develops, pain that increases with movement, high fever, chills and weakness. The most important finding in patients with discitis is unbearable stinging pain in the waist or back area when they move. If you have such a complaint, consult a neurosurgeon.
Your doctor will listen to your complaints and perform a complete physical examination. He/she will examine the reports of the surgeries you have had before (not only back and neck surgeries but all surgeries you have had, whether it is brain surgery, brain tumor surgery or another organ surgery, you must submit your surgery reports to your doctor in full) and will ask about your profession. Then, he/she will request tests such as MRI of the painful area, tomography, spine x-rays, blood infection parameters, blood count, urine test, and bone scan tests. The best neurosurgeon will evaluate all these tests and inform you about the diagnosis. In cases where these examinations are insufficient, tissue diagnosis will be made by taking a biopsy of the disc under operating room conditions. Discitis is a disease with a wide spectrum. Sometimes it gets better with a simple low back pain treatment, while sometimes it is a complex infection that requires an intensive care bed.
Discitis treatment begins with keeping the waist stable by using antibiotic drugs, movement restrictions, corsets and orthoses. In the future, if these treatments are However, if there is no change in the patient's complaints, the surgery option is used.
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