Effectiveness of pain management in arachnoiditis. TENS, Ultram, Neurontin, etc

Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.: Effectiveness of pain management in arachnoiditis. TENS, Ultram, Neurontin, etc
Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.): yes
If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:: TENS, Spinal steroid injection, surgery, ultram, neurontin.
What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.): anyone with arachnoiditis
Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)
Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.): increased ability to perform adls and maintain activity in a subpopulation of chronic pain patients
Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.: increased pain, lessened mobility

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

yes

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

AHRQ Priority Populations

Individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities or who need chronic care or end-of-life health care

Federal Health Care Program

Describe why this topic is important.: No one knows what really causes this problem, and the pain can be dibilitating.
What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.): I have arachnoiditis and never had an LP or spinal surgery
Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.): yes
If yes, please explain:

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?: what treatments to relieve chronic back pain from arachnoiditis
Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.: ASAP
Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate): what treatments to relieve chronic back pain from arachnoiditis

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?: Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program: AHRQ weekly emails

Effective Health Care Program