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IVD infection - anybody had it?

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  • IVD infection - anybody had it?

    Hi everyone,
    I have severe scoliosis (double 50+ degree) with some degeneration, and the latest MRI showed "evidence of discitis" according to the report. I feel like the radiologist may have mistaken it for something else (Modic I possibly which a previous MRI had showed in the same area) as discitis is very rare especially in people who did not have surgery like myself. I'm going to see a neurosurgeon to confirm this, but just wanted to reach out to the group here and ask if anybody had to deal with this condition and what sort of treatment (surgical or antibiotic) you got. Thanks!

  • #2
    Hi Maria

    Radiologists are pretty good at looking for things.....following up with a neurologist will help confirm this discovery.

    Infections are things you don't want to ignore. I could imagine that this is producing a lot of pain......

    I don't know how they would confirm which bacteria it is without a biopsy....Let us know what they intend to do.

    What city are you in in Russia? Just wondering since Russia is a huge country

    Ed
    49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
    Pre surgery curves T70,L70
    ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
    Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

    Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

    My x-rays
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

    Comment


    • #3
      Here is some info on spine infections

      http://www.uscspine.com/conditions/b...infections.cfm

      Ed
      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks Ed. Yes, I suspect they will do a biopsy or at least a blood test to confirm there is an infection to begin with. I am in Moscow.

        Comment


        • #5
          Maria

          I just noticed that Russia has become a member of the SRS and the doctors names that are located in Russia, are listed in this site. Funny, they listed Milwaukee...(smiley face)

          http://srsrass.ru/en/news/rossiya-v-...esearch-societ

          Be sure to let us know what happens.

          Try to hang in there and never lose hope...

          Ed
          49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
          Pre surgery curves T70,L70
          ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
          Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

          Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

          My x-rays
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

          Comment


          • #6
            Thanks, Ed, some familiar names. I am not looking to have surgery now, just to confirm the infection and get the needed treatment for that.
            I really appreciate your help!

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by mashkine View Post
              I am not looking to have surgery now, just to confirm the infection and get the needed treatment for that.
              Maria,

              You know, none of us are looking to have surgery.....however, its good to build a relationship with a scoliosis surgeon and talk. Just because you talk, doesn't mean your having surgery.

              I started talks with my surgeon in May 2005, but I wasn't ready at that time and he understood. By the time in October 2007, my pain forced me to make my decision. My surgeon thought about my case for over 2-1/2 years which I think is a good thing...I had severe DDD, multiple herniation's, and its related degeneration throughout my Lumbar levels in a 70 degree Cobb. There was never any rush, in fact I had to beg my surgeon to operate at the end. I had no choice. Some of us don't have a choice.

              The beauty of the SRS is that if you use an SRS surgeon in Russia, and you have a "scoliosis specific" or scoliosis related disorder, they can use their database to see if this(your possible infection)has happened before and what was done.....My surgeon trained through Twin Cities Scoliosis Center in Minneapolis, that's where SRS was founded, and my x-rays and diagnostics were sent up there for review among the top training surgeons at TCSC. Lonstein, Transfelt, etc

              Its good that these Russian doctors have joined SRS. Scoliosis and spine are a GLOBAL problem. To be able to share the scientific information is extremely valuable.

              What happened with me was the alternatives worked for many years....tried all sorts of things including Copes back in the early 90's. Hot soaks and massage done right after soaking worked quite well for pain. As the years went by, the methods that I used for pain didn't last as long. During my 30's, I would go in for an adjustment and the next day I was Superman. I could go a week or two. Later as I aged into my 40's, the pain increased from herniation's and lumbar radiculopathy in which this compression and inflammation was hard to quell. I was understanding what was happening to me. Understanding and accepting degeneration and the ageing process.

              Should they have to do debridement procedures (worst case scenario) for your infection, I would ask if this can be done minimally invasive through portals. Using a scoliosis surgeon is valuable since they will know the operative procedures. There are books that debate minimally vs open procedures, this of course, an interesting topic, all this should be thought about for the future by your surgeon. Best to use one scoliosis surgeon for everything. I had Dr Menmuir direct all my surgical needs instead of my GP. He has the most training, that made sense to me.

              The infection testimonials here are mostly from surgical patients. Not too many of them, but they all make it through this. A hard situation to deal with, but none ever lost hope which is the most important thing. Never let your bottle of hope run dry, so there is always some hope. This increases upon success, and the success of others before you. The people before me, the really difficult cases, they gave me hope. It was huge.

              Scoliosis patients with big curves, or surgical candidates, need to be aware and prepare through education while keeping anxiety down. Talking and writing about our problems is a good way to handle these things. I was lucky to be able to run, for anxiety, I would run and run till the running was done. The initial anxiety was the worst, but even that improves. I would say that it was reduced by 99% after my surgeries. That balloon exploded....now I can watch the grass grow.

              Our mental state and positive attitude has everything to do with our destiny...erase everything in the past, and focus on the future.

              Ed
              49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
              Pre surgery curves T70,L70
              ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
              Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

              Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

              My x-rays
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks Ed for writing your story, it means a lot.
                I am not putting my head in the sand about my spine, believe me. I have read mountains of research and will consider surgery only when I am absolutely desperate. For the time being I am very functional and have had no curvature progression for six years. Yes, the disk stuff is a bitch. I'll see what the neurosurgeon says.
                By the way, I also did the Copes brace, unfortunately. I think it made some of my problems worse. Not to mention that he was an top-class jerk.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hello Maria, Please let us know what your doctor wants to be about your "discitis". I have had a post operative infection of my spinal hardware, but I understand that you have not had any surgery to your back, so my situation is not relevant for you.
                  I hope that whatever it is, it can be treated simply.
                  Best of luck,
                  Susan
                  Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

                  2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
                  2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
                  2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
                  2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
                  2018: Removal L4,5 screw
                  2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

                  Comment

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