Arachnopathy is a rare disease that is associated with the formation of scars in the area of the spinal cord. As a result of these scars, patients suffer from severe limitation in their movements and general motor abilities. In addition, arachnopathy manifests as intense back pain and tingling and numbness in the lower extremities.
What is arachnopathy?
Arachnopathy represents a very rare disorder of the back. The exact prevalence of arachnopathy has not been researched to date. Although arachnopathy is rare, it is believed that it is diagnosed too infrequently. Instead, many physicians confuse arachnopathy with other conditions of the back that are associated with pain, such as a herniated disc. However, arachnopathy requires a fundamentally different therapy. In arachnopathy, special scars develop in the medulla of the back. This results in considerable impairment of the motor function of people suffering from arachnopathy. In the meantime, various methods of treatment technology have been established, which significantly alleviate the discomfort of patients.
Causes
In arachnopathy, scarring occurs on the medulla of the back. The spine consists of vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs, as well as the spinal canal. Inside this canal is the cord of the spinal cord, which runs from the lumbar vertebra along the spine to the skull. Located in the spinal cord is the so-called dura mater, a tube containing cerebrospinal fluid. The cerebrospinal fluid helps the vertebrae glide. In addition, the dura mater contains the spinal fluid, which in medical terms is called the arachnoid membrane. When congestion builds up in the fluid of the spinal cord, increased pressure develops. As soon as this pressure is too great, the cerebrospinal fluid moves next to the spinal column. This results in the appearance of a spider web. As a result, the affected areas become inflamed and arachnopathy develops. The inflammatory processes result in scarring of the spinal cord. This results in tremendous pain and limitations in mobility.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
The signs of arachnopathy often tempt people to confuse the disease with other diseases of the back. This is because the main symptom is usually extremely severe pain, which is so possible with herniated discs. The pain of arachnopathy is mainly localized in the lower section of the spine. Moreover, the pain sensation in arachnopathy often extends to the lower limbs or the entire body. Additionally, patients with arachnopathy experience tingling in the legs. Numbness and weakness attacks are also possible. Sometimes muscles cramp and bladder and bowel activity are impaired. Characteristic of arachnopathy is chronic pain that limits motor function.
Diagnosis and course
Arachnopathy is usually diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon. It is especially important to take a thorough history with the patient to reduce the chance of confusion with herniated discs. However, misdiagnosis is still common because the symptoms are very similar and arachnopathy is less common and thus less well known. The patient reports his medical history, the onset of the pain, and possible causative factors. In addition, he informs the physician about any diseases of the back and spine in the past. The clinical examinations initially consist of tests on the patient’s mobility. Then, the specialist uses imaging examination techniques to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and to identify the exact location of the scars on the spinal cord. In most cases, the physician performs an MRI scan and creates slice-by-slice images of the spinal cord. In this way, the locations of the scarring are detectable and confusion with herniated discs is greatly reduced. An appropriate differential diagnosis is necessary in any case. It is also possible that arachnopathy occurs at the same time as herniation of the intervertebral discs and that appropriate therapeutic measures for both diseases are required.
Complications
Arachnopathy can cause a number of complications.Initially, the disease is accompanied by chronic and persistent pain in the lower back, which in some cases can radiate to the legs or even the entire body. The typical symptoms, such as tingling or numbness, sometimes develop into muscle cramps and a pronounced feeling of weakness in the arms and legs. Sometimes there are also disturbances in the bladder and bowel area, which make urination and defecation difficult and, in a chronic course, can lead to incontinence. In a severe course, there is also impaired motor function and sensory disturbances in the affected limbs. The sometimes severe complications occur mainly in the later course of arachnopathy. However, the non-specific general symptoms often lead to misdiagnosis by the affected persons. Accordingly, the disease is often diagnosed late; usually only when the above-mentioned complications are already fully developed. With early treatment, the risks are limited to possible allergies to prescribed drugs and possible incidents during surgery. Complications also usually diminish after a successful procedure.
When should you see a doctor?
If there is recurrent unexplained pain in the lower spine, a doctor should be consulted. This person can find out through an examination whether the complaints are based on an arachnopathy or another disease. If it is an arachnopathy, further therapeutic measures are necessary. Medical diagnosis and treatment is necessary at the latest when further symptoms appear. Warning signs of arachnopathy may also include numbness and feelings of weakness, as well as tingling in the legs. Rarely, muscle cramps and functional disorders of the bladder and intestines also occur. However, chronic pain is a characteristic feature, which increasingly restricts motor function as the disease progresses. Should one or more of these symptoms occur, it is essential to consult a physician with the complaints. Sensory disturbances and incontinence indicate that the arachnopathy is already advanced. A visit to the doctor should then no longer be postponed. Even in the late stage, the disease can usually be treated well by successful intervention.
Treatment and therapy
Arachnopathy can now be treated relatively well. In this case, treatment is usually performed in a specialized clinic by means of thecaloscopy. This form of therapy represents a minimally invasive method, whereby a small incision in the diseased area serves as the entrance for a movable endoscope. The instrument examines the affected area and targets the scars. In the majority of cases, patients no longer feel any pain after a successful procedure. Restrictions in movement as well as sensory insensations also disappear.
Outlook and prognosis
The outlook for recovery from arachnopathy is considered good with medical treatment and the patient’s cooperation. Without medical care, the affected person can initiate various ways and trainings of self-healing, but will experience complete freedom from symptoms only in a very unlikely case. Nevertheless, it is advisable to apply the self-help methods on one’s own responsibility. These help to prevent relapses and lead to an alleviation of the existing symptoms. With medical therapy, the probability of a cure increases immensely. The prognosis prospects have been significantly improved with the given and scientifically proven methods in recent years. The necessary corrections are made in a surgical procedure. This is performed routinely and is completed within a few hours. The patient is usually discharged after a few days of hospitalization. Subsequently, in a healing and rehabilitation process lasting several months, the disease is cured and the symptoms subside. It should be taken into account that this process is dependent on existing pre-existing conditions or other existing complaints of the patient. People in middle adulthood without diseases have a good chance of recovery. Nevertheless, relapses can occur at any time. For this reason, the methods learned during follow-up care should continue to be used to improve movement or posture.
Prevention
To date, no firm conclusions can be drawn about effective preventive measures with respect to arachnopathy. Although the mechanism of pathogenesis of arachnopathy is partially known and researched, the exact causes are still partly unclear. According to conjectures, various external risk factors exist, which, however, cannot be avoided in every case. For example, physically demanding work and lifting heavy objects are influences that may be conducive to the development of arachnopathy. Nevertheless, arachnopathy is still a rare disease. With prompt diagnosis and the successful use of modern therapeutic methods, arachnopathy can usually be well treated, allowing most affected individuals to return to living without back pain and with full range of motion.
Aftercare
Because relapses can occur in arachnopathy after successful treatment, aftercare is very important. In this case, it provides an opportunity to prevent relapses and to relieve any symptoms that may have remained. Since the medical treatment of arachnopathy is done through an invasive procedure, it is important to pay special attention to personal hygiene after this procedure. This can help contain the risk of inflammation. In addition, it can be helpful to care for the affected areas using special care products to ensure a better healing process of the wound. Since it can take some time after the operation for the symptoms to subside, there are measures that can be taken to improve the quality of life. These include, for example, gymnastics or sports such as swimming. These measures are very well suited to counteract muscle spasms or also to alleviate any discomfort in the extremities. If numbness also occurs with arachnopathy, acupuncture can help during follow-up until symptoms are relieved by treatment. If bladder and bowel function are impaired, attention should also be paid to an appropriately balanced diet during follow-up. A diet with adequate vitamins and fiber and a healthy lifestyle with enough exercise will promote bladder and bowel regulation.
What you can do yourself
Arachnopathy can significantly complicate the everyday life of those affected. Various measures and tips make it easier to live with the disease and its consequences. First, preventive measures are recommended. Once diagnosed, symptoms such as paralysis and incontinence can be treated symptomatically with aids such as a wheelchair or adult diapers. Treatment of the causative condition should be provided as soon as possible. Suitable specialists can be identified in consultation with the family doctor or via
Information brochures and forums. After treatment, affected individuals should ensure adequate personal hygiene. The affected skin areas are best treated with suitable care products from the pharmacy. Alternatively, ointments and natural applications are available. Aloe vera, garlic oil and apple cider vinegar, for example, have proven effective. The use of natural remedies should always be done in consultation with the doctor. Sporting activities such as gymnastics or swimming help to relieve numbness and muscle cramps. The numbness can be counteracted by massages or acupuncture. Accompanying dietary measures are recommended. A balanced diet rich in fiber regulates the activity of the bladder and intestines, which is often disturbed in arachnopathy.
