Postprocedural Discitis Patient Information North American Spine Society

Description: Postprocedural discitis is an infection in the vertebral disc space that may occur following any invasive procedure of the spine, especially those in the low back, and can be difficult to diagnose. The vertebral disc is the soft cushioning material that lies between the bones (called "vertebrae") of the spine. The soft, inner portion of the disc (called the "nucleus pulposus") can become infected following any spinal procedure including all open and minimally invasive surgeries and/or injections into the disc space. The infection can spread from the inner portion of the disc to the tougher outer portion (called the "annulus fibrosis") and into the vertebral bone.