A spinal infection is most often caused by staphylococcus or E. coli bacteria. It may involve the bones, discs and soft tissues of your spine. It can start in one area of your spine and spread to other parts. It can cause pain and other problems.

Symptoms:

• Severe back pain with fever and local tenderness in the spinal column
• Nerve root pain radiating from the infected area
• Weakness of voluntary muscles and bowel/bladder dysfunction
• Paralysis