Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is an infection within the vertebrae, or backbones, and thus a cause of lower back pain. Vertebral osteomyelitis happens within the lumber spine after having a viral, fungal, or bacterial infection that is transmitted through the blood to the vertebrae. However, the usual perpetrator is the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms of osteomyelitis include fever, chills, weight loss, swelling of the infection region, and nighttime pain.
Treatment for this infection involves 4-6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. You may also require a brace to provide added stability to the spine while it heals. Bracing will continue on after IV treatment for another 6-12 weeks, depending on the severity of your case. In rare cases, surgical decompression may be necessary if an abscess has developing and is causing pressure on a spinal nerve. Fusion will be performed at the same time to stabilize any affected vertebrae.
