Two patients presented with disabling back pain and were unable to participate in physical therapy activities after being admitted to an acute rehabilitation center. Both patients had bacterial discitis of the lumbar spine that was apparently caused by infected ischemic limb tissue, ultimately removed at below-knee amputation. The literature describes many cases of bacterial discitis infected from many sources, but not from ischemic limb tissue requiring subsequent amputation. Many such cases may exist, however, and earlier recognition of this condition will enable appropriate treatment before vertebral destruction and/or neurological sequelae.