Transverse myelitis is a serious condition that occurs when the spinal cord becomes inflamed.
It can cause severe weakness in the legs or all four limbs, and may be caused by autoimmune disease or to the body fighting off a virus or infection.
Patients should always seek help, as they’re unlikely to recover without medical intervention.
Transverse myelitis is a serious neurological condition often linked to autoimmune disease or to the body fighting off a virus or infection.
It requires prompt medical care. As part of that, patients should be assessed by a neurologist to make sure something else isn’t going on.
What is transverse myelitis?
Regional One Health neurologist Jesus Martinez, MD, said the condition occurs when the spinal cord becomes inflamed.
The nerves are damaged and can no longer send proper signals to the rest of the body.
“It may start with weakness in the legs or all four limbs,” he said. “Patients may have pain in the lower back or mid-thoracic region, balance problems and fever. If you can’t walk or you’re falling down because your legs are weak, you need to go to the hospital immediately.”
Dr. Martinez said symptoms emerge over a few hours in acute transverse myelitis. Or, they could come on slowly over two or three weeks.
At their worst, symptoms include incontinence and a total loss of control of the legs.
Transverse myelitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord. Patients often experience severe weakness in their legs or in all four limbs.
When should someone seek medical help?
Dr. Martinez explained why it is important for patients to seek care as soon as possible.
Patients with transverse myelitis are unlikely to recover on their own. They often need a course of strong steroids. They may also require antiviral medication to address the underlying cause of the attack and medication to treat pain, incontinence, muscle stiffness, depression, etc.
Some patients need to be injected with healthy antibodies or undergo plasma exchange therapy. These treatments aim to stop the body from attacking its own immune system.
Physical, occupational and vocational therapy might also be necessary.
Could something else be wrong?
There is a chance patients with transverse myelitis symptoms are experiencing something else.
Dr. Martinez said many conditions manifest similarly: “The list of possibilities is extremely long,” he said. “A neurologist’s job is to consider other possibilities and make sure you aren’t missing something. For example, is it transverse myelitis, where most people will only have one episode? Or is it the first attack of something else, like multiple sclerosis?”
Transverse myelitis requires immediate medical care. Patients are unlikely to recover without intervention, which can involve a strong course of steroids and physical therapy.
“Do you need treatment for just this one episode, or for the rest of your life?”
If transverse myelitis is the first sign of multiple sclerosis, symptoms are usually limited to one side of the body. Other problems, like an injury or infection of the spinal cord, can result in symptoms on one or both sides of the body.
How can your doctor find out what’s wrong?
Patients should undergo a variety of tests, Dr. Martinez said:
- Bloodwork to identify causes like lupus, HIV or multiple sclerosis
- An MRI or CT scan to look for a tumor, slipped disk or injury to the spinal cord
- A spinal tap to show infection in the brain and/or spinal cord
No matter what, Dr. Martinez said it is crucial for patients who experience symptoms like leg weakness, balance problems, back pain and fever to always see a doctor.
If untreated, transverse myelitis can lead to lasting disability. Patients may be unable to walk, become incontinent or have chronic pain and muscle spasms.