Immobilization and Neurological Complications in Patients With Vertebral Osteomyelitis.

Vertebral osteomyelitis is an infection of the intervertebral disk and adjacent vertebral plates with a non-negligible risk of neurological complications and handicap. If there are clear recommendations dealing with antibiotic therapy and surgery indications for this pathogen, the question of the immobilization will be remaining debate. The aim of the study was to describe protocols and practices for the immobilization of vertebral osteomyelitis in different French hospitals and bone and joint infections Centers. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the frequency of neurological complications in a large prospective cohort, and to identify clinical and imaging risk factors for neurological complications. The investigators also aim to search for association between type and duration of spine immobilization and neurological status at the end of follow-up.