Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi | Date: October 29, 2025
A spinal infection is a rare condition that develops when bacteria, fungi or viruses make their way into the spinal column. In most instances, spinal infections are classified further based on the specific location where the infection develops. Below, we take a closer look at the three most common classifications of spinal infections.
Most Common Spinal Infections
Before we dive into some of the most common spinal infections, let’s explain how a spinal infection typically develops in the first place. Your skin does a wonderful job keeping bacteria and fungus out of your body, but if you suffer a cut or need to have surgery performed, bacteria can get in the wound site and lead to the onset of an infection. Injuries and surgical wounds are the most common ways for infection-causing bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This doesn’t necessarily mean that an infection is guaranteed, as your white blood cells and immune system will work hard to kill the foreign invaders before the infection can develop. Individuals with compromised immune systems and those with underlying health conditions like diabetes may have a harder time fighting off a bacterial presence prior to infection onset.
When bacteria or a virus ends up in your bloodstream and leads to the onset of an infection in your spine, it typically leads to one of these three types of infections:
- Intervertebral Osteomyelitis – This type of spinal infection affects the vertebrae and the adjacent vertebral disc. It is a serious type of infection that can present with fever, pain, chills, and neurological impairment leading to numbness or weakness in the extremities. If antibiotics can’t resolve the infection, a surgical procedure to remove the infected tissue and stabilize the spine may be required.
- Discitis – Patients with discitis will be dealing with an infection of their spinal discs, the spongy cushion that rests between vertebral segments. Pain, fever, tenderness, fatigue and stiffness in the spine typically accompany a spinal disc infection. Antibiotics can usually take care of discitis, but similar to intervertebral osteomyelitis, if the infection persists, a minimally invasive procedure to remove the disc and replace it with artificial hardware or a bone graft may be required.
- Epidural Abscess – An epidural abscess is an infection that develops within the epidural space, which is the area between the spinal cord and the vertebral canal. It is similar to other spinal infections in that it presents with pain, fever, fatigue and tenderness at the infection site, and it tends to respond well to antibiotics. In more severe cases, surgery to drain the abscess and relieve pressure may be performed, as can a more invasive procedure to remove the infected tissue.
Minnesota Spine Specialist
Spinal infections are quite rare, but they can develop if bacteria enters an injury site or a surgical incision, so it’s imperative that you care for wounds appropriately. Clean and disinfect any wounds before covering with a clean bandage, and change these bandages regularly. Regular monitoring of these healing areas can also help you catch an infection in its early stages when treatment is most effective. Redness, heat and discolored discharge are telltale signs of the beginning stages of an infection.
For more information about spinal infections, or for assistance overcoming whatever back issues you’re dealing with, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today (651) 430-3800.
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