Transverse myelitis is a disease which affects spinal cord. When the myeline sheath which is a protective cover on the nerve fibers of spinal cord is inflamed, it causes many neurological disturbances. Transverse myelitis is also known commonly as spinal cord inflammation. The severity of symptoms caused by the disease depends on which nerves got damaged in what degree.
On Whom Transverse Myelitis (Spinal Cord Inflammation) is Seen?
Transverse Myelitis develops due to many factors of auto-immune diseases and inflammatory situations. It can also develop due to viral bacteria or infections. It may occur as a response of the immune system against the infections like chicken pox and measles.
What are the Symptoms of Transverse Myelitis?
Symptoms of spinal cord inflammation start suddenly and advance rapidly in general. The commonly seen symptoms are:
- Development of muscle weakness or paralysis in legs
- Development of muscle weakness or paralysis in arms
- Sensory problems
- Feeling of pain, numbness and tingling in arms and legs
- Problems of urination and excreta
- Involuntary contraction of muscles (spasticity)
- Tiredness and depression
Advancement of the complaints may be prevented by medications even if there is no exact treatment of transverse myelitis. Besides these, a comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation program should be initiated at the earliest period. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are quite important to prevent and treat the function losses like muscle weakness and walking disorders which may ensue.
Transverse Myelitis and Physical Therapy
The physical therapy and rehabilitation applications are initiated at the earliest period for the patient whose vital findings are controlled, and medical situation is stabilized. The physical therapy and rehabilitation expert doctor defines a suitable treatment plan for the needs of the patient by examining the patient comprehensively.
Health experts from various branches, like physiotherapist, ergotherapist, speech-swallowing therapist, physical therapy technician, respiratory therapist and rehabilitation nurse, strive as a team for the rehabilitation of the patient.
Initially, the prevention of decreased muscle power and protection of movement are aimed in physical therapy. Increase of muscle power, relearning of the correct walking, development of hand-arm usage and increase of independence are ensured with physical therapy applications and exercises.
Physical therapy agents like TENS and hot/cold applications can be used for the pains which may develop due to the disease.
Balance loss may ensue due to the impact on the spinal cord. With the balance and coordination exercises, this loss can be prevented.
Robotic physical therapy applications which are suitable for the potential and need of the patient are benefited as auxiliary measures of conventional physical therapy methods. The advanced robotic technologies like robotic bed, gait robot, hand-arm robot, anti-gravity treadmill and computerized balance device may be included in the therapy according to the level of the patient.
Orthoses which enable the patients to redo the lost functions, provide support and help walking can be used if needed. Private AFOs may be recommended especially for the patients whose walking pattern has been disordered or ankle control has been lost.
In case of the patients with bladder and intestine problems, and who experience problems of urinary and fecal incontinence, trainings are given to the patients to prevent and manage the complications with the exercises for pelvic floor muscles.
Transverse myelitis affects the life quality of the persons a lot. A comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation program is quite important to increase the quality of daily life and regain the lost functions. The patients should abide regularly to the personalized physical therapy programs and not forget being in a process which requires patience.
You can watch: Success Story of Ms. Menekşe who Had Paralysis Caused by Transverse Myelitis (Spinal Cord Inflammation)
