IS THERE ANY TREATMENT?
The goal of treatment should be to return the patient to a functional role in society. Conservative therapy such as pain management is generally recommended. In those patients whose arachnoiditis is progressive, surgery to remove adhesions is only minimally effective because scar tissue continues to develop. Also, surgery exposes the already irritated spinal cord to additional trauma.
WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS?
There is no cure for arachnoiditis. For the majority of patients, arachnoiditis is a disabling disease causing intractable pain and neurological deficits. As the disease progresses, some symptoms may increase and become permanent. Few people with this disorder are able to continue working. In some cases, progressive paraplegia may occur.
WHAT RESEARCH IS BEING DONE?
Within the NINDS research programs, arachnoiditis is addressed primarily through studies associated with pain research. NINDS vigorously pursues a research program seeking new treatments for pain and nerve damage with the ultimate goal of reversing debilitating conditions such as arachnoiditis. NINDS has notified research investigators that it is seeking grant applications both in basic and clinical pain research. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) may also be conducting research on pain.
* NOTE: If for some reason this article experiences some problems as a result of being emailed, please go to the following Url....Enter: "Adhesions" in the upper left corner....Click: "Go"...Scroll down to and click: "Arachnoiditis Fact Sheet."
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH