Arachnoiditis Treatment Specialist in Frisco, Denton, and Plano, TX

Arachnoiditis is a rare pain condition that negatively affects the arachnoid membrane, which is a thin sheet of tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. This condition occurs when the arachnoid membrane becomes inflamed, scarred, or thickened, resulting in severe pain, nerve damage, and mobility issues.

Other factors that can contribute to this condition include infections in the spinal canal, meningitis, tuberculosis, spinal cord tumors, and the autoimmune disorder, lupus.

The pain associated with arachnoiditis is often described as burning, shooting, or electric shocks that radiate down the legs, hips, and lower back. Patients also describe feelings of numbness, tingling, muscle cramps, spasms, stiffness, and weakness in the lower extremities. These sensations cause pain that can vary from mild to excruciating and often interferes with daily activities and quality of life.

In rare cases, arachnoiditis can also cause symptoms such as double vision, hearing loss, and bladder and bowel dysfunction.

If you’re diagnosed with arachnoiditis, there are four stages that you may go through. It’s important to note, however, that not everyone will experience all of these stages. Some people may only go through the acute or subacute stage, while others progress into all four stages over time.

The first stage is the acute stage, which occurs immediately after the onset of symptoms. During this stage, a person may experience severe pain, muscle spasms, and other painful symptoms that fluctuate in duration and intensity.

The second stage is the subacute stage, which can last several weeks to several months. During this stage, symptoms may become less severe but are still be persistent and debilitating.

The third stage is the chronic stage, which can last indefinitely. During this stage, a person may experience ongoing pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness, and symptoms may spread to other parts of the body.

The fourth stage is the late stage, which occurs after many years of living with arachnoiditis. During this stage, a person may experience severe nerve damage, loss of muscle function, and other serious complications.

The diagnosis of arachnoiditis can be extremely challenging as it shares common symptoms with other spinal cord disorders and can be easily misdiagnosed. Therefore, it’s important to consult with a qualitied medical professional to undergo a detailed medical history, physical examination, and neuroimaging tests for proper diagnosis.

The first step in accurately diagnosing arachnoiditis is via clinical evaluation. Those with chronic pain and neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in their lower body are often the primary suspects for arachnoiditis. A physical examination can help identify focal neurological deficits, which are often present in patients that may have arachnoiditis.

Neuroimaging is also key for diagnosing this complex pain condition. Imaging tests such as MRI, CT myelography, and myelogram can be used to visualize the spinal cord and surrounding structures, which can help pinpoint nerve root(s) clumping, adhesions, arachnoid cysts, or other abnormalities.

In addition to imaging tests, a nerve conduction study (NCS) or electromyogram (EMG) can be performed to assess nerve function and diagnose any other coinciding conditions.

At Pain Specialists of Frisco, we’re dedicated to getting you the pain relief that you need to improve your quality of life. Contact us today for more information about our arachnoiditis treatment options or book in for an appointment online with one of our knowledgeable specialists. We have convenient locations to serve you in Frisco, TX, and Denton, TX. We serve patients from Frisco TX, Denton TX, McKinney TX, Plano TX, Carrollton TX, Flower Mound TX, Lewisville TX, Allen TX, Aubrey TX, and surrounding areas.