Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery · 1983 · 333 citations · 0 references
MedicineOrthopaedic SurgeryOrthopedic SurgeryMusculoskeletal InfectionSpinal Cord Injury RehabilitationSpine SurgeryOsteomyelitisSpinal Cord DisordersSpinal Cord InfectionsSpinal Cord InjurySpinal Cord PathologySpinal InfectionEarly Orthopedic TreatmentPostoperative Spinal InfectionsRetrospective Record ReviewSpinal Cord Compression ManagementSpinal Cord Compression PreventionSpinal Infection ComplicationsSurgical Site Infection After Spine Surgery
A retrospective review of the cases of sixty-one patients with vertebral osteomyelitis revealed that the associated diseases of diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis as well as increased age and a more cephalad level of infection predisposed to paralysis. For patients with paralysis and a long-term follow-up, the prognosis for isolated nerve-root deficits is good with or without surgery. For patients with spinal cord compression, the results generally are better with anterior decompression and stabilization than with laminectomy. Early treatment should be directed at prevention of intrinsic spinal-cord damage, which is irreversible.