Different kinds of spinal infections can be classified according to the anatomical location that is involved: The vertebral column, intervertebral disc space, the spinal canal, and the adjacent soft tissues. Infection can be caused by bacteria or fungal organisms and can end up popping up after surgery. The majority of postoperative infections happen between three days and three months after surgery. Read on to learn more about spine infections from spine specialist Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute. If you’re looking for an orthopaedic center in Celebration, call Orlando orthopaedic center Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute today!
Common Types of Spinal Infections
The most common form of vertebral infection is vertebral osteomyelitis. This type of infection can develop from direct open spinal trauma, infections in surrounding areas, and from bacteria that spreads to a vertebra from the blood. Intervertebral disc space infections affect the area between adjacent vertebrae. Disc space infections are commonly divided into three subcategories: adult hematogenous (spontaneous), childhood (discitis), and postoperative. Spinal canal infections are a category that includes spinal epidural abscess, an infection that occurs in the space around the dura (the tissue that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve root). Subdural abscess occurs far less often and has an effect on the space in between the dura and the arachnoid (the thin membrane of the spinal cord, between the dura mater and pia mater). Infections that happen within the spinal cord parenchyma are labeled intramedullary abscesses, and adjacent soft-tissue infections include cervical and thoracic paraspinal lesions and lumbar psoas muscle abscesses. These soft-tissue infections typically affect patients who are younger, and are not often seen in older people.
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Spinal infections are typically caused by either a bacterial or a fungal infection which starts in another part of the body and is carried into the spine through the bloodstream. A bacterium called staphylococcus aureus is the most common source of spinal infections, followed by Escherichia coli. Spinal infections can happen following a urological procedure, since the veins in the lower spine come up through the pelvis. The lumbar region is the most common region of the spine that is affected, and intravenous drug users are more susceptible to infections which affect the cervical area. Orlando orthopaedic center Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine notes that the risk of spinal infections may be increased by recent dental procedures, due to the fact that bacteria can be introduced to the bloodstream during the procedure and travel to the spine. Intervertebral disc space infections most likely start in one of the contiguous end plates, and the disc is then secondarily infected. There is some controversy when it comes to the origin in children- the majority of cultures and biopsies in children are negative, which causes experts to think that childhood discitis may not be an infectious condition, but caused by partial dislocation of the epiphysis (the growth area near the end of a bone), as a result of a flexion injury.
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Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute is a top spine specialist in the Celebration area. Call Orlando orthopaedic center Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute today to schedule an appointment.