Diskitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Diskitis?
An orthopedic doctor (a bone and joint doctor), an infectious disease doctor (a doctor who treats infections), or a neurosurgeon (a brain and spine surgeon) may treat diskitis. A primary care doctor can start the workup. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is diskitis?
Diskitis is swelling and irritation of the space between the bones of the spine. This space holds a cushion called a disk.
Diskitis is uncommon. It is also called disk inflammation, and it is a serious cause of back pain.
The disks cushion the bones of the spine and keep them apart. Disks have little blood supply, which makes an infection hard to treat.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Back pain or neck pain.
- Fever.
- Stiffness in the back.
- Night sweats.
- Belly pain.
- Trouble getting up and standing.
- Irritability.
A younger child may refuse to sit up, stand, or walk.
In adults, common signs include back or neck pain and fever. The pain usually stays at the level of the affected disk.
Diagnosis can be delayed because back pain is so common.
Causes and who gets it
Diskitis can be caused by an infection from bacteria or a virus. It can also be caused by inflammation, such as from autoimmune diseases. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks certain cells in the body.
Germs can spread to the disk from the blood, from a nearby infection, or from a spine procedure. Spine surgery, a lumbar puncture, or injections into the area can be the cause. The germ most often found is Staphylococcus aureus.
It is usually seen in children younger than 10 years and in adults around 50 years of age. Men are more often affected than women. Disks in the neck and low back are most commonly affected.
Over half of cases occur in people with another health problem, most often diabetes. A weak immune system also raises the risk.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. Tests may include:
- Blood tests that measure inflammation, such as ESR or C-reactive protein.
- An MRI of the spine.
- An x-ray of the spine.
- A bone scan.
MRI is the most sensitive and specific test for diagnosis. Plain x-rays are mostly unhelpful early on. A biopsy, or small tissue sample, can help find the germ.
Treatment
The goal is to treat the cause of the inflammation or infection and reduce pain. Treatment may include antibiotics if bacteria cause an infection. Anti-inflammatory medicines are used if the cause is an autoimmune disease.
Pain medicines such as NSAIDs may also help. So may bed rest or a brace to keep the back from moving. Surgery is used if other methods do not work.
Most often, treatment includes antibiotics, and surgery is used less often. Experts do not agree on one exact treatment plan.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you or your child has back pain that does not go away. Also contact your provider if a child has problems with standing and walking that seem unusual for the child's age.
Delay in treatment or a missed diagnosis can lead to serious harm. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have new or worsening numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, a spine injury, a sudden change in mental status such as confusion, or sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can examine you, order blood tests or imaging, and refer you to a spine or infection specialist. They can also help manage diabetes, which raises the risk.
Common questions
Is diskitis serious?
Yes, it can be serious. Delay in treatment or a missed diagnosis can lead to serious harm.
Can children fully recover from diskitis?
Yes, children with an infection should fully recover after treatment. In rare cases, chronic back pain persists.
What problems can diskitis cause?
Problems may include an abscess, a pocket of infection, in or near the spine. Pain with numbness and weakness in the limbs can worsen. Medicine side effects can also occur.
Does diskitis only affect children?
No. It is usually seen in children younger than 10 years and in adults around 50 years of age.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
