Living with Arachnoiditis
A pain disorder caused by inflammation of a membrane around the spinal nerves.
Understanding Arachnoiditis
The inflammation can come from chemical irritation, infection, injury to the spine, long-term pressure on spinal nerves, or spinal surgery or procedures. It may cause scar tissue that makes spinal nerves stick together. It can affect people at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Stinging, burning pain in the lower back or legs
- Numbness and tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Joint pain
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Bladder, bowel, or sexual function changes
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the inflammation may be due to chemical irritation, infection, direct spine injury, long-term nerve compression, or complications from spinal surgery or procedures.
Also known as: adhesive arachnoiditis; arachnoid mater inflammation; chronic arachnoiditis; inflammation of arachnoid mater
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Arachnoiditis.
Explore research for Arachnoiditis
Explore actively recruiting Arachnoiditis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Arachnoiditis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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