What is arachnoiditis?

29/07/2022

The brain and spinal cord nerves are surrounded by three membranes: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. When the arachnoid becomes inflamed, a condition known as arachnoiditis can manifest as a painful condition. It is distinguished by excruciating stinging and burning pain, in addition to neurological issues. Keep reading to know more about this condition and how our neurologist in Marbella treats arachnoiditis.

The inflammation of the arachnoid, which is one of the membranes that surround and protect the nerves of the spinal cord, is the root cause of the painful condition known as arachnoiditis. The condition is characterised by severe stinging, a painful "burning" sensation, and neurological issues. The inflammation (swelling) of the arachnoid can result in the formation of scar tissue, which in turn can cause the spinal nerves to become adhered to one another and to malfunction.

Symptoms of Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis can present itself with a wide variety of symptoms, the most common of which is pain in the lower back or legs, which is frequently characterised as a burning or stinging pain. These are some others:

Leg weakness, numbness, or tingling
Pins and needles sensation (paresthesia)
Pain in the joints
Tinnitus
Exhaustion
Problems in the bladder

Symptoms may become more severe or even permanent as the disease progresses. Because of the constant pain, many people with arachnoiditis are unable to work and suffer significant disability.

Causes of Arachnoiditis

A variety of irritants can cause arachnoid inflammation, including:

Spinal nerve compression: Chronic degenerative disc disease or advanced spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column) can cause compression of the spinal nerves, resulting in arachnoid inflammation.
Spinal cord injury: In most cases, it is caused by complications from spinal surgery or procedures such as epidural injection and spinal tap.
Infection: Inflammation can be caused by viruses or bacteria, such as bacterial meningitis of the spine.

Neurologist for arachnoiditis in Marbella

Arachnoiditis has no known cure. Treatment options for arachnoiditis are similar to those for other chronic pain conditions. The majority of arachnoiditis treatments are aimed at relieving pain and improving symptoms that interfere with daily activities. Our neurologist for arachnoiditis in Marbella frequently recommends a pain management, physiotherapy, exercise, and psychotherapy programme. Surgery for arachnoiditis is debatable because the results can be poor and provide only temporary relief. To determine whether steroid injections and electrical stimulation are effective, clinical trials are required.