Contents:
- Medical Video: Targeting Back Pain
- Arachnoiditis is a nervous disorder that causes chronic pain
- Arachnoiditis symptoms
- What causes arachnoiditis?
- How is this condition diagnosed?
- How to treat this condition?
Medical Video: Targeting Back Pain
The nerve of the human body is connected through the spine which spreads to various parts of the body, especially the hands and feet. So when the head or brain is traumatized, it is not impossible for other parts of the body to be disturbed. One of the most frequently reported complaints after spinal cord trauma due to brain or head injury is chronic pain. Chronic pain especially in this case is called arachnoiditis.
Arachnoiditis is a nervous disorder that causes chronic pain
Arachnoiditis is a complaint of chronic pain that attacks the back to the groin (perineum) and spreads throughout the arms to the legs. Arachnoiditis is a nervous disorder caused by acute inflammation in the body after a brain injury or spinal cord injury.
These nerve disorders occur in the arachnoid, the inner layer of the meninges that protects various nerves in the brain and spine. When the meninges are damaged, it is very likely that the arachnoid is also damaged. The incidence of arachnoiditis tends to be rare.
Inflammation then causes the injured spinal cord to swell, causing the surrounding nerves to become attached. This condition then causes pain and nerve function disorders.
Arachnoiditis can also occur in several ways, such as:
- Adhesive arachnoiditis - occurs when the spinal cord attaches to one another due to inflammation.
- Arachnoiditis ossificans - occurs when damaged arachnoids turn into bone tissue.
- Cerebral arachnoiditis - arachnoiditis occurs in the brain and is often characterized by severe headaches.
- Hereditary arachnoiditis - damage to the meninges membrane occurs due to genetic disorders.
- Neoplastic arachnoiditis - arachnoiditis triggered by the growth of cancer cells.
- Optochiasmatic arachnoiditis - occurs in the nerves of the brain behind the eyes. This type of arachnoiditis can cause blindness.
Arachnoiditis symptoms
Damage caused is progressive. That is, symptoms initially appear to be mild, and can continue to get worse when left untreated.
The symptoms of arachnoiditis can also be nerve disorders such as:
- Visual impairment
- Joint pain
- Tingling sensation and burning sensation
- The ears feel awkward
- Muscles feel weak
- Hearing disorders
- Symptoms of meningitis or swelling of the meninges of the head or spine
In rare cases, this condition also causes:
- Head swelling (hydrocephalus)
- The body cannot produce sweat
- Abnormal uncontrolled body movements
- Urinary system disorders
- Chronic fatigue
- Symptoms of migraines
Symptoms that appear may be different for each person. In some people nerve damage due to this condition can be very disruptive to activity.
What causes arachnoiditis?
The cause of arachnoiditis is trauma or head injury that affects the membranes of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord, such as traffic accidents. Some people can experience this condition because they inherit a damaged gene from their family tree.
Some other possible causes are:
- Damage due to side effects of spinal surgery; most arachnoiditis is caused by this.
- Injection damage in the myelography procedure
- Exposure to chemicals that attack meninges.
- Injections in the spine, such as epidural injections.
- Side effects from lumbar puncture.
- Viral and bacterial infections that attack the spine (eg bone tuberculosis).
- Cancer growth around the spine.
How is this condition diagnosed?
Because the symptoms are less specific, arachnoiditis is often misinterpreted as a normal muscle injury. Arachnoiditis is also quite difficult to diagnose, so usually you will need to undergo further examinations such as MRI and CAT scan to really confirm it.
How to treat this condition?
Generally, the treatment of arachnoiditis is surgical correction to justify impaired nerve function. However, this route is not always recommended. Because the structure of the spine is very vulnerable to damage. Even a small damage can have a serious impact. That is why surgery in the area affected by arachnoiditis is not always effective because it can cause further damage.
Some ways can be an alternative choice to deal with arachnoiditis symptoms, such as:
- Physical therapy - plays a role in relieving pain and preventing further damage. Therapy for physical activity for example can strengthen muscles and overcome pain. Some other methods such as massage and ice packs can also be used to reduce pressure when feeling pain.
- Treatment - aims to relieve pain such as using NSAID pain relievers, steroid drugs, and opoids. But it should be noted the side effects of using the drug.
- Nerve stimulation - use of certain tools to send electrical signals to the spine to reduce pain and help to move.
- Psychological assistance - with coping methods support group who are expected to be able to provide emotional support and share ways and tips regarding individual lifestyles to deal with chronic pain.
