How Do You Know if Your Discectomy Is Infected?

Signs of Infection Following a Discectomy

Spinal surgeries like discectomies are common procedures that help thousands of patients find relief from herniated discs and related pain. While modern surgical techniques have made these procedures safer than ever, infections remain a potential complication that every patient should be vigilant about. Postsurgical infections can range from minor superficial wound infections to more serious deep tissue or spinal infections that require immediate attention.

Recognizing the signs of infection early can mean the difference between a quick recovery with antibiotics and a prolonged hospital stay with additional surgical interventions. In this article, you will learn what to look for after your discectomy procedure and when you should contact your healthcare provider without delay.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Discectomy Infection

Identifying an infection after a discectomy, such as a cervical or lumbar discectomy, requires paying close attention to both how you feel and what you can observe. Here are the primary indicators that something might be wrong:

Persistent or worsening pain

While some pain is expected after surgery, pain that suddenly increases or changes in character might indicate an infection. Pay particular attention if:

• Pain intensifies several days after surgery when it should be gradually improving
• You experience new, sharp, or throbbing pain around the surgical site
• Pain that was previously controlled with medication suddenly becomes unmanageable
• You notice pain spreading beyond the surgical area or radiating to other parts of your body

Post-surgical pain typically improves steadily over time. When pain patterns reverse and worsen after an initial improvement, this could be your body’s way of signaling an infection.

Fever and chills

One of the most reliable indicators of infection is an elevated body temperature. While a low-grade fever (up to 100.4°F or 38°C) can be normal in the first 48 hours after surgery, persistent or recurring fevers beyond this time frame are concerning.

Be alert to:

• Fever that develops after the first few days post-surgery
• Temperature readings above 101°F (38.3°C)
• Fever accompanied by chills or night sweats
• Recurring fevers that come and go

These symptoms reflect your body’s immune response to fighting an infection and should never be ignored.

Changes in the surgical wound

Your incision site provides valuable visual cues about potential infection. Check your wound daily (or have someone check it for you if you cannot see it) and watch for:

• Increased redness or warmth around the incision
• Swelling that worsens instead of improving
• Unusual or foul-smelling discharge from the wound
• Yellow, green, or cloudy drainage (clear or slightly blood-tinged drainage may be normal)
• Wound edges that appear to be separating or not healing properly
• Hardness or firmness developing around the incision site

Remember that some redness and swelling immediately after surgery is normal, but these symptoms should gradually improve rather than worsen over time.

Unusual drainage or fluid collection

Infections can cause excess fluid to accumulate near your surgical site. Be concerned if you notice:

• Continued drainage from the wound after the first few days
• Drainage that soaks through bandages or dressings
• A pocket of fluid that seems to be forming under the skin
• Leakage of clear spinal fluid (which may indicate a dural tear with potential for infection)

Proper wound healing should result in progressively less drainage, not more.

Neurological symptoms

Because discectomies involve operating near the spinal cord and nerve roots, infections in this area can sometimes cause neurological symptoms, including:

• New or worsening numbness or tingling in the extremities, which could indicate issues with the sciatic nerve
• Unexpected weakness in the legs or arms 
• Difficulty with bladder or bowel control
• Heightened sensitivity or unusual sensations along nerve pathways

These symptoms require immediate medical attention, as they could indicate an infection affecting the spinal canal or nerve roots.

Systemic Symptoms of Infection

Beyond the local signs centered around your surgical site, infections can cause body-wide symptoms that reflect your immune system’s response:

Fatigue and malaise

Fighting an infection requires significant energy from your body. Unexpected fatigue or a general feeling of being unwell (malaise) that persists or worsens could indicate your body is battling an infection. This is not the same as normal postsurgical tiredness, which should gradually improve.

Decreased appetite

Many patients experience a temporary decrease in appetite after surgery, but this should improve within days. Persistent loss of appetite, especially when combined with other symptoms, could be a sign of infection.

Nausea and vomiting

While some nausea can be expected from pain medications, unexplained or persistent nausea and vomiting that develops or worsens days after surgery could be related to an infection or other complication.

Elevated heart rate and blood pressure

Your body may respond to infection with an increased heart rate (tachycardia) and changes in blood pressure. If you monitor these vital signs at home and notice consistent elevations, this could be meaningful, especially in combination with other symptoms.

Risk Factors for Post-Discectomy Infections

Understanding your personal risk factors can help you be more vigilant about potential infections. You may be at higher risk if you:

• Have diabetes or other conditions that affect your immune system
• Smoke or have a history of smoking
• Are older in age
• Have obesity
• Required a longer or more complex surgical procedure
• Have had previous spinal surgeries or infections
• Are taking immunosuppressive medications
• Have poor nutritional status

These factors do not mean you will develop an infection, but they do suggest you should be particularly attentive to potential warning signs.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Knowing when to seek medical attention is crucial. Contact your surgeon or healthcare provider immediately if:

• You develop a fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
• Your pain suddenly increases or changes in character
• You notice new drainage, especially if it is discolored or foul-smelling
• Your incision becomes increasingly red, swollen, or painful
• The edges of your wound begin to separate
• You develop new neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness
• You experience new difficulties with bladder or bowel function

Do not wait for your scheduled follow-up appointment if you are experiencing these symptoms. Early intervention for infections can prevent more serious complications.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-Discectomy Infections

If your healthcare provider suspects an infection, they will likely:

• Examine your surgical site and overall condition
• Order blood tests to check for elevated white blood cell counts and other infection markers
• Possibly take a culture of any drainage from the wound
• Order imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans to evaluate the extent of any infection

Treatment typically involves:

• Antibiotics targeted to the specific bacteria causing the infection
• Potential surgical drainage or debridement if the infection is deep or not responding to antibiotics
• Wound care to promote healing
• In severe cases, removal of surgical hardware if present

The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome is likely to be.

Prevention: Reducing Your Risk of Infection

While not all infections can be prevented, you can take steps to reduce your risk:

• Follow all preoperative instructions carefully
• Shower with an antiseptic soap before surgery if instructed
• Ensure proper wound care after surgery, following your surgeon’s specific instructions
• Keep your incision clean and dry
• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your incision or changing dressings
• Take all prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed
• Maintain good overall hygiene
• Optimize your nutrition to support healing
• Control blood sugar if you have diabetes
• Avoid smoking before and after surgery

While infections after discectomy are a serious concern, they are relatively uncommon with modern surgical techniques and preventive measures. Most patients recover without complications. However, being aware of the signs and symptoms of infection empowers you to seek help quickly if needed.

Remember that early detection and treatment of infections lead to the best outcomes. Do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you notice any concerning symptoms, even if you are unsure whether they are serious. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your health and recovery.

Your surgical team are your partners in ensuring a successful recovery. They want to know about any concerns you have, so never feel you are bothering them by reporting potential symptoms of infection. Your attentiveness could be the key to preventing a minor issue from becoming a major complication.

Although discectomy surgery is generally a very successful procedure, patients with a larger hole in the outer ring of the disc have a significantly higher risk of reherniation following surgery. Often, the surgeon will not know the size of the hole until he or she begins surgery. A new treatment, Barricaid, which is a bone-anchored device proven to reduce reherniations, was specifically designed to close the large hole often left in the spinal disc after discectomy. This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and does not require any additional incisions or time in the hospital. In a large-scale study, 95 percent of Barricaid patients did not undergo a reoperation due to reherniation in the 2-year study time frame. 

If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment or how to get access to Barricaid, ask your doctor or contact us today.

For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.