Arachnoiditis

A debilitating condition where inflammation to the brain lining (arachnoid) causes nerve pain and neurological problems.

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What is arachnoiditis?

Arachnoiditis is the inflammation of the arachnoid lining — one of three linings to protect the brain and spinal cord. The condition causes intense burning pain and stinging sensations, coupled with neurological problems. It also causes the nerve roots and blood vessels to clump together, which becomes painful and debilitating.

Need to know

Arachnoiditis causes consistent pain in the lower back and legs. In severe cases, it causes debilitating pain throughout the whole body. If left untreated, the symptoms can get worse and can cause permanent disability.

Symptoms include:

  • tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs
  • a crawling sensation on the skin
  • severe shooting pain
  • muscle cramps, spasms, and uncontrollable twitching
  • bladder, bowel and possible sexual dysfunction

The condition can sometimes be a rare complication of spinal surgery. Trauma to the spine can also be a factor, and viral infections such meningitis or tuberculosis can also be factors.

Arachnoiditis can be hard to diagnose - at first glance, the symptoms can seem similar to nerve compression. Neurological symptoms can also lead to the wrong diagnosis. If the consultant suspects someone has the condition, they will recommend a combination of CT scans and MRI scans. The consultant will look for nerve damage and check whether the nerve roots have clumped together.

There is no cure for arachnoiditis. Most treatments focus on relieving pain and improving symptoms to restore quality of life. Often, consultants will recommend physiotherapy and exercise.

As arachnoiditis can cause serious disability and chronic pain, people will be encouraged to join support groups and have counselling to relieve the mental stress of the condition. Surgical procedures are sometimes recommended. These include decompression surgery and foraminoplasty.

This treatment, carried out in the gaps between the vertebrae, allows the nerve to be released, relieving trapped nerves.

Our Arachnoiditis consultants

Mr Christopher Chandler

Mr Christopher Chandler

Neurosurgery

Mr Marco Sinisi

Mr Marco Sinisi

Neurosurgery

Professor Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos

Professor Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos

Neurosurgery

Mr Neil Dorward

Mr Neil Dorward

Neurosurgery

Our Arachnoiditis locations

Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)

Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)

170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chiswick Outpatients

Chiswick Outpatients

Bond House 347-353 Chiswick High Road W4 4HS London
Chelsea Outpatients

Chelsea Outpatients

280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients

The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients

30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Golders Green Outpatients

Golders Green Outpatients

Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostic Centre NW11 9PY London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients

The Wellington Hospital Outpatients

15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.