Spondylitis

For spondylitis ( latinisiertes Greek: Spondylitis " inflammation of the spine " ) is an inflammation of the vertebral body, a variety of causes - infectious or aseptic - has. If it overlaps on the discs, this is known as Spondylodiscitis.

Via the blood Propagated bacterial infections can also absiedeln in vertebral bodies. The induced pain are uncharacteristic, it threatens the confusion with the much more frequent back pain or dorsalgia.

In ankylosing spondylitis is, however, a disease of the rheumatic diseases, in which the axial skeleton, the joints of the limbs and the tendons may be affected.

Diagnostics

In the early stage, the X-ray examination with negative results may be. If the process is well encapsulated, show laboratory values ​​no abnormalities. A good resource is here scintigraphy, with the activation of bone metabolism can be detected. The MRI shows the inflammatory process in the bone and surrounding soft tissues.

Tuberculous spondylitis is seen as a special case, with a slow course it comes with a relatively low symptoms and sometimes inconspicuous laboratory values ​​, to a gradual destruction of one or more vertebrae. This is called vertebral caries.

Therapy

Depending on the severity of the clinical picture of the inevitable, intensive antibiotic treatment must be complemented by operational measures. The destroyed bone is dispelled it. If the results it offers, chains of antibiotic- containing plastic can be inserted, which are later removed and replaced with the body's own bone material. In addition, a stabilizing trunk orthosis is given. The necessary treatment and monitoring of the course last long, usually much more than a year, is a tuberculosis before, much longer.