Physiotherapy for Transverse Myelitis

Transverse Myelitis
Transverse myelitis is really a rare inflammatory neurological disorder that triggers damage to the spinal-cord.
The aims of physiotherapy treatment will differ with regards to the level of the spinal-cord damage caused by the transverse myelitis. Physiotherapy will help you reach and maintain your maximum physical potential and assist in the management of other facets of your condition. 
The effects of transverse myelitis can progress rapidly over minutes, or may progress on the number of weeks. The results are dependent on the amount of the spinal cord damage. Effects are usually seen below the degree of the spinal cord damage and may present as a reduction or complete lack of:
• sensation
• voluntary movement
• proprioception (awareness of joint position in space)
• bladder and bowel function
• sexual function
Individuals also commonly experience:
• reduced capability to breathe deeply and cough
• pain
• muscular spasms
In the height of the disorder approximately 50% of patients don't have any voluntary movements within their legs, almost all patients possess a degree of urinary incontinence, and also over 80% of patients report altered sensation.
Physiotherapy for Transverse Myelitis
Physiotherapist can guide you to achieve your maximum physical potential by treating the issues that arise following a onset of transverse myelitis. On your initial assessment both you and your physiotherapist will discuss realistic long and short term goals. These goals will be at the centre of the rehabilitation. The physiotherapy treatment you obtain will be dependent on your symptoms as well as your goals. With the correct medical and physiotherapy treatment, approximately another of patients create a full recovery following a initial onset, another have a moderate amount of permanent disability, along with a third make without any recovery and remain severely functionally disabled.
Physiotherapy for patients with transverse myelitis includes;
• exercises and stretches
• joint care
• pain control
• hydrotherapy treatment
• breathing exercises and chest clearance techniques
• referral to appropriate health care professionals
• anticipating and minimising secondary complications
• provision of apparatus, orthoses, and wheelchairs
• advice for you personally and those caring for yourself on handling techniques
• teaching you the way to use specialised fitness equipment
• teach transfers (getting in and from a wheelchair, bed, car, shower/bath and onto and off a toilet).
• teach wheelchair skills
• increased standard of living
• increased independence
• increased muscle strength
• increased levels of energy
• reduced pain and muscle spasms
• reduced stiffness
• reduced chance of chest infections