Treatment for spinal infections typically involves a combination of medical and surgical approaches. The approach depends on the severity and type of infection.
At the UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center, our team of experts works together to create the treatment plan that best fits your specific needs.
These medications, also known as antimyotic agents, treat fungal infections by either stopping fungal growth or killing the fungi. These medications are available as over-the-counter treatments or with a prescription. They come in many forms, including injections, intravenous (IV medications), oral pills or liquids and topical products (i.e., products that are placed on the skin).
Antibiotics are medications that slow or prevent growth of bacterial infections. When an antibiotic is administered intravenously, it goes straight into your bloodstream either by injection or through a catheter. Intravenous antibiotics are used because they don’t have to be digested and can reach the targeted area faster than oral antibiotics.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) might be helpful, but you should follow the instructions carefully. Using OTC pain relievers for too long or incorrectly can have serious side effects. If these don't relieve your pain, your doctor can recommend stronger prescription pain relievers.
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in effectively managing chronic back pain. At UK HealthCare, physical therapy is an integral part of many spine treatment plans. Our spine specialists work with therapy experts who specialize in musculoskeletal care. Together, they create a plan tailored for your unique needs.
A physical therapist can:
- Create a personalized exercise plan to enhance your flexibility and range of motion
- Strengthen your core muscles to maintain proper alignment
- Improve your posture
- Educate you on correct movement techniques and modifications to use during pain episodes, helping you to engage in your favorite activities while reducing the likelihood of recurring back pain
Surgery may be needed in cases where there is significant spinal instability, abscess formation or neurological deficits.
During this minimally invasive procedure, a doctor will numb the skin over the area and make a small incision. The infected fluid and pus are drained from the area, and the area is cleaned with a sterile solution.
If a serious or chronic wound isn’t healing properly, it could be because the tissue surrounding the wound has died and your immune system isn’t responding as it should. During debridement, a doctor will remove the dead tissue — either with surgery or special medicines or enzymes — so your body’s immune system can take over and allow the wound to heal.
This surgery is performed to stop movement between two or more vertebrae in the spine.
Before your spinal fusion, you will receive general anesthesia so that you sleep during the procedure. To perform this surgery, your surgeon may access your spine in one of three ways:
- On your back or neck above the spine: You will lie on your stomach, and your surgeon will make an incision over the area and move the muscles and tissues to the side to access the spine.
- On your side: If spinal fusion is being performed on your lower back, you may lie on your side to give the surgeon the best angle to access the spine in that area.
- On the front of the neck: If spinal fusion is on the neck, your surgeon may make an incision on the front part of your neck near the side.
The vertebrae will be fused together with:
- Bone graft placed along the back of the spine
- Bone graft material added between two or more vertebrae
- Implantable cages used between the vertebrae
The doctor may also stabilize the vertebrae with cages, plates, rods or screws until the grafts heal. The surgery usually takes three to four hours.
After your surgery, you will remain in the hospital for three or four days, and you will receive pain medicine to keep you comfortable. You may wear a back brace when you leave the hospital.
After surgery, you will need to stay off work for about four to six weeks as you recover, and you will be limited to very light activity. You may need physical therapy.
If you have tried other pain relief treatments and your spinal pain hasn’t improved, spinal fusion may work as a pain relief option. However, spinal fusion doesn’t provide pain relief for everyone, and it can increase pain.