Tabes dorsalis, also known as locomotor ataxia, is a form of late neurosyphilis characterized by the degeneration of the dorsal columns and roots of the spinal cord, leading to symptoms like pain, loss of coordination, and potentially blindness and dementia. 

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

• What it is:Tabes dorsalis is a serious complication of untreated syphilis, a bacterial infection spread sexually. It’s a form of neurosyphilis, meaning it affects the nervous system.Â
• Cause:It’s caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum (the syphilis bacteria) damaging the spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissue.Â
• Symptoms:
  • Pain: “Lightning pains” or lancinating pain, often in the legs.Â
  • Loss of coordination: Difficulty walking, unsteady gait (ataxia), and loss of reflexes.Â
  • Other symptoms: Vision changes, bladder control problems, sexual dysfunction, joint damage (Charcot joints), and in severe cases, dementia and blindness.Â
• Progression:Symptoms may not appear for many years after the initial infection, and the disease can progress slowly.Â