Conservative therapy
In order to guarantee a successful therapy in case of an inflammation in the vertebral area, it is important to immobilize the affected region. Bed rest can be prescribed by the doctor for up to several weeks. An intravenous treatment with antibiotics is particularly effective if it has been tested for bacterial resistance in advance.
In case of an infection with tuberculosis pathogens, a combination of 4 different tuberculostatic drugs is administered. Accompanying this, any existing secondary diseases such as hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels) or alcoholism should be treated. The therapy of tuberculous spondylodiscitis with antibiotics is usually lengthy, as the course of the disease can last several weeks.
Surgical therapy
If the adequate therapy with antibiotics is not sufficient to contain the focus of inflammation and if the defects are also widespread, surgery is indicated. In surgery, the entire region of the inflammation is cleared out (dédridement). The spine is thereby relieved and damage to the nerves can be prevented.The spine is then rebuilt and stabilized with replacement materials. Accompanying the operation, a 6 to 12-week treatment with antibiotics is necessary to ensure that the wound heals without infection.
