Common Causes Of Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis is a type of pain disorder that occurs when the arachnoid becomes inflamed. This membrane surrounds the spinal cord's nerves and protects them. Arachnoiditis is commonly characterized by neurological issues, burning pain, and a feeling of severe stinging. Though there isn't a consistent symptom pattern, many patients experience symptoms in their legs and lower back. Pain is most common, but arachnoiditis can also present with numbness and weakness in the legs, tingling, crawling sensations, muscle cramps, a loss of muscle control, and problems controlling the bladder and bowels. Symptoms can increase in severity as the condition progresses.

There are many common causes of arachnoiditis, most of which involve some kind of injury or illness in the nervous system.

Chronic Degenerative Disc Disease

Chronic degenerative disc disease, which typically occurs in seniors, can cause arachnoiditis to develop. As an individual ages, the discs between the spinal column's vertebrae begin to break or deteriorate. The condition might affect just one disc, or it may be found in multiple areas. The deterioration causes pain, and it can also lead to numbness, weakness, and radiating pain down the leg. Even though the condition is called degenerative disc disease, it's a common and natural part of aging. It occurs when the discs become too worn to offer the same flexibility and support that they used to. When the condition leads to arachnoiditis, it's related to chronic compression of the nerves in the spine. This chronic compression then leads to inflammation. Another condition that might cause spinal compression is advanced spinal stenosis, which occurs when the spinal column becomes increasingly narrower.

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Direct Spinal Injury

Direct spinal injury can lead to arachnoiditis. Spinal injuries might be caused by impacts from a car accident or high-contact sports. They also sometimes occur when there are accidents on construction sites or other environments that require manual labor. If an individual believes their spine has been injured, it's important to seek medical help as soon as possible, as injuries to the spine can be severe. Even if patients don't feel like the injury was severe, if there has been damage to the spinal cord, failing to stabilize the spine can make the damage worse. There are two main types of spinal injury: complete and incomplete. Complete injuries cause permanent damage to the spinal cord, and they may lead to paralysis or other long-term symptoms. Incomplete injuries tend to heal over time. Either type of injury might lead to arachnoiditis if the arachnoid becomes inflamed during the healing process.

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Tuberculosis

Some patients experience arachnoiditis as a complication of tuberculosis. Other bacterial infections, viral infections, and fungal infections may also lead to arachnoiditis if they affect the spine. Tuberculosis, often abbreviated TB, is a bacterial infection that spreads through the air when individuals cough. Patients with weak immune systems are at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis because their immune systems can't fight the bacteria off. This includes both those with immune-compromising health conditions and those taking immunosuppressants. It's vital for tuberculosis to be diagnosed and treated properly, as the disease can become life-threatening. Common signs of tuberculosis are bad coughing spells that last for at least three weeks, fever, general weakness and tiredness, loss of appetite, and coughing up mucus or blood.

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Chemicals

Certain chemicals have been linked to the development of arachnoiditis. Some patients developed arachnoiditis after having a myelogram done. This diagnostic imaging test uses contrast dye and computer imaging technology to look for abnormalities or injuries in the spine. The dye is injected into a patient's spinal column prior to the procedure, and when it spreads through the spine and surrounding nerve tissues, a radiologist can see the spine more clearly. In the past, the dye used might have caused the arachnoid to become inflamed. However, medical professionals no longer use the suspected type of contrast dye. Some individuals have expressed concern that the preservatives in epidural steroid injections might lead to arachnoiditis. Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are pain-relieving procedures that help target and reduce spine-related pain.

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Spinal Surgery Complications

Spinal surgery complications can cause arachnoiditis, as can complications from invasive procedures like spinal taps. When a patient undergoes multiple lumbar punctures, they may be at a higher risk of developing arachnoiditis because the immune system reacts to the procedure with inflammation. It's important for surgeons and medical professionals to follow all established safety guidelines for a procedure. Patients must also be informed about the important aspects of their recovery, like how to keep away infection and ensure the site of the procedure stays clean. If individuals develop unusual pain following spinal surgery, it's important for them to have this evaluated by a doctor to make sure there isn't a serious condition at play.