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NINDS Arachnoiditis Information Page

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Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Arachnoiditis?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations

What is Arachnoiditis?
Arachnoiditis describes a pain disorder caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid, one of the membranes that surround and protect the nerves of the spinal cord.  The arachnoid can become inflamed because of an irritation from chemicals, infection from bacteria or viruses, as the result of direct injury to the spine, chronic compression of spinal nerves, or complications from spinal surgery or other invasive spinal procedures.  Inflammation can sometimes lead to the formation of scar tissue and adhesions, which cause the spinal nerves to “stick” together. If arachnoiditis begins to interfere with the function of one or more of these nerves, it can cause a number of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, and a characteristic stinging and burning pain in the lower back or legs.  Some people with arachnoiditis will have debilitating muscle cramps, twitches, or spasms.  It may also affect bladder, bowel, and sexual function.  In severe cases, arachnoiditis may cause paralysis of the lower limbs.

Is there any treatment?

Arachnoiditis remains a difficult condition to treat, and long-term outcomes are unpredictable.  Most treatments for arachnoiditis are focused on pain relief and the improvement of symptoms that impair daily function.  A regimen of pain management, physiotheraphy, exercise, and psychotheraphy is often recommended.  Surgical intervention is controversial since the outcomes are generally poor and provide only short-term relief.  Clinical trials of steroid injections and electrical stimulation are needed to determine the efficacy of these treatments.

What is the prognosis?

Arachnoiditis appears to be a disorder that causes chronic pain and neurological deficits and does not improve significantly with treatment.  Surgery may only provide temporary relief.  Aging and pre-existing spinal disorders can make an accurate prognosis problematic.   The outlook for someone with arachnoiditis is complicated by the fact that the disorder has no predictable pattern or severity of symptoms.

What research is being done?

Within the NINDS research programs, arachnoiditis is addressed primarily through studies associated with pain research.  NINDS vigorously pursues a research program seeking new treatments for pain and nerve damage with the ultimate goal of reversing debilitating conditions such as arachnoiditis. 

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA   95677-0850
ACPA@pacbell.net
http://www.theacpa.org
Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231
Fax: 916-632-3208

 National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain
P.O. Box 70045
Houston, TX   77270
NFTPain@cwo.com
http://www.paincare.org
Tel: 713-862-9332
Fax: 713-862-9346
American Pain Foundation
201 North Charles Street
Suite 710
Baltimore, MD   21201-4111
info@painfoundation.org
http://www.painfoundation.org
Tel: 888-615-PAIN (7246)
Fax: 410-385-1832

  


Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892



NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

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Last updated February 08, 2007