What is Transverse Myelitis?

Transverse myelitis is a rare inflammatory disease of the spinal cord causing muscle weakness and sensory loss in the legs, trunk and sometimes the arms.

It occurs when the immune system attacks the spinal cord resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. It often develops as a result of a bacterial or viral infection.

The condition is usually diagnosed with an MRI scan or lumbar puncture.

Symptoms of Transverse Myelitis

The onset of symptoms is usually over hours or days. The main symptoms are muscle weakness and sensory loss but symptoms may also include: pain, bladder and bowel disturbance, sexual dysfunction, spasticity and fatigue.

Recovery from transverse myelitis may be absent, partial or complete and generally begins within 1 to 3 months after onset. Following the initial attack, approximately a third of people recover with little or only minor symptoms, a third are left with a moderate degree of permanent disability and a third have virtually no recovery and are left severely functionally disabled.

Treatment of Transverse Myelitis

The initial treatment is medical management in a hospital setting.

Following this, the rehabilitation phase begins. Physiotherapy is likely to focus on improving mobility and function, reducing spasticity, maintenance of skin integrity, reducing pain and maximising independence with activities of daily living.

How can Neurocare Physiotherapy help me?

At Neurocare, we are all highly specialised in treating neurological conditions, so you can be confident that your physiotherapist will have the necessary experience to provide you with the specialist level of treatment which you deserve.