Discitis, or diskitis, is an infection of the disc space between your vertebrae (spinal bones). While rare, this disease can quickly become serious.
The most common symptom of discitis is severe, debilitating back pain, but it can also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms.
Discitis typically affects young children and older adults, and treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery.
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Discitis is a type of spinal inflammation. Sometimes spelled diskitis, this viral or bacterial infection happens in the intervertebral disc space between each vertebra or backbone. These disc spaces separate and cushion the spinal bones from each other as you move about your life.
But when these spaces are inflamed, they swell and can put pressure on the spinal discs. Disc pressure can cause discomfort or severe pain around the joints, tissues, and surrounding vertebrae.
Discitis often presents with osteomyelitis — an infection of the bone and bone marrow from a bacterial or fungal infection. Since this condition can cause permanent bone damage, treating it right away is important.
While discitis is an uncommon infection, it can become serious quickly.
Discitis is a rare infection that affects around 100,000 people in the U.S. each year. It is most common in children under the age of 10 and adults over the age of 50.
Because discitis is an infection, it can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or autoimmune disease.
There are two ways this infection can be introduced in the body:
The risk for discitis increases with:
Because infected areas receive low blood supply, discitis can be difficult to treat. If left untreated, discitis can become life-threatening and lead to neurological disabilities or death.
Discitis can occur anytime, but paying attention to your physical and mental health can lower your risk of certain infections. Be mindful of your drinking, smoking, and exercise habits, and try to maintain a healthy diet and limit stress to ensure a healthy lifestyle.
The most common symptom of discitis is severe back pain. This pain can be in the lower or upper region of the spine and usually does not radiate to the legs or other regions of the body like with other kinds of back pain. Knowing the difference in the pain is crucial because — as a rare infection that causes back pain — discitis can be misdiagnosed or overlooked.
Some other symptoms of a discitis infection include:
If you are experiencing these symptoms and severe back pain, talk with your primary care doctor. Discitis can become serious if not treated properly right away.
To diagnose discitis, your doctor will discuss your medical history and symptoms. They may also run tests.
Tests to diagnose discitis include:
Discitis treatment differs for each person. Your doctor will tailor your treatment based on where the discitis is coming from in your body.
Your doctor may prescribe medicine, which they will determine based on whether a virus, bacteria, or autoimmune disease caused your discitis.
For instance:
In some cases, steroids may be prescribed. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like ibuprofen may help relieve pain.
Your doctors may also recommend:
While it is very rare, surgery may be required for severe cases of discitis. The most common surgery for discitis is debridement, a medical procedure to help remove dead or infected tissues from a wound. Debridement helps the infected area heal faster.
No matter the discitis treatment method, with swift action and appropriate care, you should fully recover and live a pain-free life within weeks or months of your diagnosis.
For some people, chronic back pain may continue, and they may need other treatment. For people with autoimmune disorders, recovery may look different, which is why it is important to talk with your medical provider about your medical history and symptoms so they can accurately diagnose and treat you.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-06-26.
