Spinal Arachnoiditis

Spinal arachnoiditis refers to an inflammatory condition of the arachnoid lining of the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms include pain in the lower body and sometimes the entire body, burning, stinging, tingling, numbness, shooting pains, cramps, twitching, and bowel, bladder, or sexual problems.

Causes

• Causes of arachnoiditis include infections like tuberculosis and meningitis, degenerative disc disease, spinal trauma, complications of spinal surgery, dye injections for myelograms, and multiple spinal taps.

Treatment

• Because the condition is not curable, treatment consists of relieving pain. Treatments include oral corticosteroids or shots, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, anti-spasmodics, anti-convulsants, narcotic analgesics, physical therapy, TENS units or spinal cord stimulators that ease pain by electrical stimulation, according to Edgar G. Dawson, M.D., writing on SpineUniverse.com.

Chronic Condition

• Arachnoiditis is a chronic condition. If it progresses, scarring of the arachnoid lining and nerve tissue can occur. Blood supply may also be compromised. Severe disability can result, making it impossible for the patient to work. Management of pain and emotional support are vital in these cases.