Back pain and fever together can be a serious health problem, often involving infections in the spine.
Also, spinal epidural abscess, vertebral osteomyelitis, and kidney infections are common causes of back pain and fever and need treatment ASAP.
Here we will cover back pain and fever common causes, signs to look out for, and treatment options.
Back Pain and Fever Connection
When back pain and fever come together, it’s often a sign of something more serious underneath. One of the main reasons for this uncomfortable duo is an infection, possibly within the spine itself.
Fever and generalized chronic back pain can be a sign of infection in the spine. This type of infection may not always be localized, so it’s harder to pinpoint the exact cause without further medical evaluation.
Together these symptoms mean a serious condition needs medical attention.
Back pain with fever needs to be seen by a doctor immediately.
Causes of Back Pain and Fever
Back pain with fever can be caused by many things, to varying degrees. These symptoms often mean a spinal infection needs medical attention.
Nerve compression, bulging discs, and ligament damage are other conditions that can cause this.
Knowing three medical conditions: spinal epidural abscess, vertebral osteomyelitis, and kidney infections can help you understand back pain and fever.
Let’s get started in detail.
1. Spinal Epidural Abscess
An infection in the epidural space of the spine, a spinal epidural abscess, can cause severe pain and fever.
It occurs when bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus, get into the epidural space and pus accumulates around the spinal cord abscess.
This can cause acute back pain, fever, and severe complications if left untreated. Spinal epidural abscesses can also occur from similar infections.
Symptoms include worsening back pain with movement, fever and sometimes neurological deficits like weakness or numbness.
2. Vertebral Osteomyelitis
Vertebral osteomyelitis, an infection of the vertebrae, causes chronic back pain and fever. Bacteria in the bloodstream can get to the vertebrae and cause this condition and chronic pain and high fever.
If left untreated, a bacterial infection caused by bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus, that causes vertebral osteomyelitis can lead to severe complications.
The infection can spread to adjacent discs, and infected bone needs intensive medical attention.
3. Kidney Infections
Kidney infections like pyelonephritis cause back pain that radiates to the lower back and is often accompanied by fever.
These infections often start as a urinary tract infection that travels to the kidneys and causes significant discomfort and urinary symptoms.
Symptoms include back pain with fever, frequent urination, and sometimes blood in the urine.
Symptoms to Look Out For
Back pain is a common issue, affecting 8 in 10 adults at some point in their lives. Red flags are back pain worsening at night, back pain that recurs despite treatment, and unexplained weight loss.
Other symptoms to watch out for:
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs
- Pain radiating down the legs
- Abdominal pain with back pain
- Signs of vertebral osteomyelitis-like pain that worsens with movement
If you experience any of these symptoms, you need to see a doctor to rule out serious conditions.
When to See a Doctor
High fever with back pain can mean a serious infection or condition like spinal epidural abscess or vertebral osteomyelitis.
Severe pain, loss of bowel or bladder control, or high fever are signs to seek medical attention.
Surgery may be required for severe conditions like herniated discs or intractable spinal infections.
Diagnostic Procedures
Healthcare providers use a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, and blood tests to diagnose the underlying causes of back pain and fever.
These tests help identify the source and guide the treatment plan.
Physical Exam
Healthcare providers check for muscle spasms, spinal tenderness, and abnormal spinal curvature during physical exams.
They also check range of motion to look for underlying issues.
The physical exam aims to get important information to diagnose the cause of back pain and fever and further evaluation and treatment.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests like MRI and CT scans are important to diagnose the underlying causes of back pain and fever.
These tests visualize structural abnormalities in the spine and detect infections that cause back pain and fever.
Blood Tests
Blood tests show bacterial infections and markers of inflammation related to back pain and fever. Common tests are complete blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate to assess infections in symptomatic patients.
Treatment Options
Preventing back pain and fever is key to health.
Also The WHO says that 85-90% of back pain cases are treated with rest, medicine, and physical therapy.
And our spine and back pain expert says treatment plans should be customized.
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed for pain relief in back pain with fever.
Opioids, though they carry the risk of addiction, may be prescribed for severe back pain and should be taken only with a doctor’s advice.
Muscle relaxants can relieve acute pain from muscle spasms but may cause drowsiness as a side effect.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can relieve lower back pain through customized exercises and stretching. Physical therapy can reduce back pain by improving posture and strengthening muscles.
Surgical Interventions
Surgery may be required for severe disc herniation or spinal infections. Surgery may be necessary for severe spinal infections to remove infected tissues or abscesses to relieve pain and prevent further complications.
Preventive Measures
Preventing back pain and fever is maintaining good posture, proper lifting, and regular exercise.
Strengthening core muscles reduces pressure on the lower back and supports spine stability.
Other things to consider:
- Daily stretching loosens back muscles.
- Regular walking maintains a healthy weight.
- Changing sleeping positions reduces spinal pressure.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, back pain and fever together mean a serious underlying condition that needs immediate medical attention.
If you have back pain with fever, don’t wait to see a doctor.
