More Than Back Pain: What Happens When a Spinal Infection Is Missed in Denver?

By lladmin on August 5, 2026

Spinal infections are medical emergencies. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may be required to prevent fatality or lifelong disability. When a healthcare provider fails to appropriately evaluate symptoms, order necessary diagnostic testing, or begin timely treatment, patients may have grounds for a claim.

The Denver spinal infection misdiagnosis lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. represent patients that have been harmed by catastrophic medical errors and their families. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries because of a failure to diagnose spinal infection, we can evaluate whether negligent medical care played a role and advise you about your options for seeking compensation.

Why Spinal Infections Require Immediate Medical Attention

A spinal infection develops when bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms invade structures within or around the spine. Because the spinal cord and surrounding tissues have limited room to accommodate swelling or abscess formation, pressure can rapidly build around critical nerves.

Without prompt treatment, spinal infections can permanently damage the spinal cord or spread throughout the bloodstream. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the likelihood of preserving neurological function.

Patients with spinal infections require emergency treatment to stop the infection from spreading and prevent permanent damage. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may include intravenous antibiotics, emergency surgery to drain abscesses, removal of infected tissue, spinal stabilization procedures, and long-term rehabilitation.

Types of Spinal Infections

Several different spinal infections may result in catastrophic complications if diagnosis is delayed.

Spinal Epidural Abscess

A spinal epidural abscess occurs when pus collects in the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord. As the infection expands, it compresses the spinal cord and nerve roots. Even a short delay may result in permanent neurological injury.

A spinal epidural abscess malpractice case may arise when physicians fail to recognize these symptoms, delay MRI imaging, or discharge patients without appropriate evaluation.

Symptoms may include:

• Severe back pain
• Fever
• Progressive weakness
• Numbness
• Difficulty walking
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Vertebral Osteomyelitis

Vertebral osteomyelitis misdiagnosis is another serious medical problem. This infection develops inside the vertebral bones themselves.

Because symptoms may resemble arthritis or degenerative spine disease, vertebral osteomyelitis is sometimes overlooked until the infection destroys portions of the spine.

Patients may experience:

• Persistent localized back pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Difficulty moving
• Elevated inflammatory markers on laboratory testing

Discitis

Discitis is an infection involving the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae. Without treatment, discitis may spread into nearby vertebrae or develop into larger spinal infections.

Patients may report:

• Severe back pain
• Pain with movement
• Muscle spasms
• Fever
• Limited mobility

Children may exhibit different symptoms, such as refusing to walk or complaining of abdominal or leg pain.

Post-Operative Spinal Infections

Spinal surgery carries a known infection risk. Healthcare providers must appropriately monitor patients after surgery. Persistent pain, wound drainage, fever, redness, or increasing neurological symptoms following surgery require immediate evaluation.

Post-operative spinal infections can affect different parts of the spine and surgical site, ranging from the incision to deeper tissues and implanted hardware. These infections may include surgical incision infections, deep tissue infections, bone infections, hardware infections, and epidural abscesses.

How Doctors and Hospitals Miss Spinal Infections

Spinal infections are often overlooked in their early stages because their symptoms closely resemble those of more common conditions. As a result, patients may initially be misdiagnosed as having a muscle strain, herniated disc, sciatica, kidney stones, arthritis, influenza, or another viral illness. When red-flag symptoms exist, healthcare providers must expand the diagnostic workup.

Red Flags That Require Further Evaluation

Red flag findings may warrant additional testing to rule out a spinal infection. Healthcare providers must carefully evaluate patients presenting with combinations of symptoms such as:

• Severe or worsening back pain
• Fever
• Recent infection
• Recent spinal surgery
• Intravenous drug use
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Immunosuppression
• Progressive weakness
• Numbness
• Difficulty walking
• Loss of bladder or bowel function

Diagnostic Tests That Can Identify Spinal Infections

Prompt diagnosis often depends upon ordering the appropriate studies. Depending on the patient’s presentation, providers may order:

• MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging remains the gold standard for identifying most spinal infections, particularly spinal epidural abscesses.
• Blood Tests. Laboratory studies used to help diagnose a spinal infection may include a complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP) testing, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) testing, and blood cultures.
• Elevated inflammatory markers often support the need for additional imaging.
• CT Scan. Although CT scans may identify some abnormalities, they are generally less sensitive than MRI for many spinal infections.
• Biopsy or Aspiration. In some situations, physicians obtain tissue or fluid samples to identify the responsible organism and guide antibiotic therapy.

What Happens When Diagnosis Is Delayed?

The greatest danger of a delayed spinal infection diagnosis is that bacteria continue spreading while the patient receives ineffective treatment. As the infection progresses, patients may develop devastating complications.

Permanent Neurological Damage

Pressure on the spinal cord may permanently injure nerve tissue. Patients may experience:

• Chronic weakness
• Loss of sensation
• Chronic pain
• Difficulty walking
• Permanent disability

Paralysis

Complete spinal cord compression may leave patients partially or completely paralyzed. Emergency surgery becomes less effective once permanent spinal cord injury has occurred.

Sepsis

When infection spreads into the bloodstream, patients may develop bacteremia and/or sepsis, which are life-threatening conditions that can rapidly damage multiple organs. Sepsis requires intensive care treatment and it carries a significant risk of death.

Death

Untreated spinal infections remain potentially fatal. Early recognition saves lives.

When Does a Missed Diagnosis Become Medical Malpractice?

A medical malpractice attorney can investigate whether healthcare providers breached the accepted standard of care.

Examples of a breach may include:

• Failing to recognize red-flag symptoms
• Failing to order appropriate imaging
• Misinterpreting MRI findings
• Ignoring abnormal laboratory results
• Delaying specialist consultation
• Prematurely discharging patients
• Delaying antibiotic treatment
• Failing to monitor worsening neurological symptoms

Speak With a Trusted Denver Spinal Infection Misdiagnosis Lawyer

A missed spinal infection can leave patients facing permanent paralysis, lifelong neurological impairment, or the devastating loss of a loved one. If you believe negligent medical care was a factor, the spinal infection misdiagnosis attorneys at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. are prepared to evaluate your case.

Since its founding in 1981, Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. has earned a national reputation for handling complex medical malpractice litigation. The firm has secured numerous significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of catastrophically injured patients, including a $67.3 million medical malpractice verdict for a case involving a child who suffered brain damage. Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. received an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is their highest rating for legal skills and ethical behavior.

Call (303) 759-9945 or (877) 433-3906 to schedule a no-charge initial consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Infection Misdiagnosis

What are the warning signs of a spinal infection?

Common warning signs include sudden onset of severe or worsening back pain, fever, chills, weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, and loss of bladder or bowel control. While symptoms can vary, these red flags often require immediate medical evaluation and diagnostic imaging to rule out a spinal infection.

What complications can result from a delayed diagnosis of a spinal infection?

A delayed diagnosis spinal infection may allow the infection to spread, leading to permanent neurological damage, paralysis, sepsis, spinal instability, or death. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving the patient’s outcome and reducing the risk of life-altering complications.

What is a spinal epidural abscess, and why is it considered a medical emergency?

A spinal epidural abscess is a collection of infected fluid that forms around the spinal cord. As it grows, it can compress the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, resulting in permanent neurological injury if not treated promptly.

When could a missed spinal infection become medical malpractice?

A missed diagnosis may constitute failure to diagnose medical malpractice if a healthcare provider breached the standard of care by failing to recognize warning signs, order appropriate tests, or begin timely treatment, and that breach of the standard of care was a cause of the patient’s injuries.