BACTERIAL DISCITIS CAUSED BY LIMB GANGRENE REQUIRING BELOW-KNEE AMPUTATION

Two patients presented with disabling back pain and were unable to par ticipate in physical therapy activities after being admitted to an acu te rehabilitation center. Both patients had bacterial discitis of the lumbar spine that was apparently caused by infected ischemic limb tiss ue, ultimately removed at below-knee amputation. The literature descri bes many cases of bacterial discitis infected from many sources, but n ot from ischemic limb tissue requiring subsequent amputation. Many suc h cases may exist, however, and earlier recognition of this condition will enable appropriate treatment before vertebral destruction and/or neurological sequelae. (C) 1996 by the American Congress of Rehabilita tion Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabi litation