Arachnoiditis is one of many causes of chronic back pain. It can also cause other symptoms such as numbness and tingling. In extreme cases, it can cause loss of bowel or bladder functions.
Causes of arachnoiditis are rare complications from spine surgeries and epidural steroid injections. Infection of the arachnoid can also cause arachnoiditis. In the past, certain oil-based contrast dyes used in CT scans also caused arachnoiditis in rare circumstances. However, these dyes are typically no longer used and have been substituted with water-based dyes.
Is there a cure for arachnoiditis?
Generally, arachnoiditis is a chronic condition. As such, the focus of care are typical rehabilitation goals: reduce the symptoms of arachnoiditis as much as possible through lifestyle changes and increase the ability to cope with the condition. The overall goal of rehabilitation is to live well despite having the condition.
Therapies & Procedures for arachnoiditis
Typical treatments for arachnoiditis are chronic pain rehabilitation and medications. Most chronic pain rehabilitation programs include medication management as part of their overall therapies.
Date of publication: April 27, 2012
Date of last modification: October 23, 2015
