Subject: Re: Arachnoiditis
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area:
Posted by CCF Neuro MD on June 25, 1997 at 10:05:24:
In Reply to: Arachnoiditis posted by Percy C. Zanger, M.D. on June 12, 1997 at 21:08:29:

: I,personally, have spinal arachnoiditis with symptoms affecting mostly both lower exremiities These include painful paresthesias and burning after any activity. When these symptoms develop, I develop weakness, stiffness and difficulty in walking.
I have been told that dorsal columh stimulators are best for unilateal leg pain and that a morphine pump might be more appropriate. Could you outrline the indications for each of these appliances? I also undrstand that while they both relieve pain, they will not relieve the difficuty in walking, Is this your experience? I would geatly appreciate your comments
Sincerely,
Percy C.Zanger M.D..

Spinal arachnoiditis can be a very difficult problem to treat. Occasionally surgical procedures are useful in the rare circumstances to decompress a cyst that is compressing the spinal cord. I have not had any experience with dorsal column stimulators and so I can not comment on its indications or effectiveness. Morphine pumps are an effective method of controlling acute pain syndromes however in patients with chronic pain they have the disadvantage of being addictive as you well know. Another possible mode of therapy is performing a dorsal rhizotomy but there are inherent risks involved with any surgical procedure including this one. In the very early phases of arachnioditis, corticosteroids can be of use to prevent the development of adhesive scar formation which leads to chronic pain. This has not been studied well and the reports of its usefulness have been anecdotal. I would suggest that you seek a consultation from a pain clinic if you have not already done so. If you would like an opinion from one of our physicians at our pain clinic, you can make an appointment by calling 216-444-5559.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.

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