30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Arachnoiditis is a neurological pain condition that causes the arachnoid, a membrane that protects nerves in the spinal cord and brain, to become inflamed.
- Inflammation of the arachnoid creates constant irritation, scar tissue to form around the spinal nerves, and binding of blood vessels and nerve roots, which in turn causes chronic, debilitating pain.
- The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss the causes, symptoms and treatments for arachnoiditis.
Causes
Arachnoiditis may be caused by a number of things, but some of the most common occurrences or incidents include:
- A direct injury to the spine
- A bacterial or viral infection affecting the spine, such as fungal meningitis or tuberculosis
- Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins, such as contrast dyes from a diagnostic test
- Spinal nerve compression
- Complications from minimally invasive or invasive spine surgery
Symptoms
Chronic pain in the lower back, lower limbs or throughout the body is considered a predominant symptom of arachnoiditis. Nevertheless, other, more definitive signs of arachnoiditis may include tingling or numbness in the legs, intense shooting pains, muscle cramps or spasms, or bladder and bowel dysfunction. Another possible telltale sign could be the unusual sensation of insects crawling on the skin, or water trickling down the leg. Talk to the pain management physicians at Southwest Spine and Pain Center if you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms.
Treatments
Although there is no cure for arachnoiditis, treatment may improve mobility and provide relief from pain symptoms. Examples of treatment for arachnoiditis include steroid injections, anticonvulsants, prescription pain medications, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or spinal cord stimulation. Talk to your pain specialist at Southwest Spine and Pain Center about treatment options for your arachnoiditis.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With multiple locations across the state of Utah, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.