Man using lexo robotic gait trainerMotion rehab physiotherapist and patient
TRANSVERSE MYELITIS REHABILITATION

A Transformative Path to Recovery

Transverse myelitis is a rare neurological condition caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. This inflammation can damage myelin, the protective covering around nerve fibres, and interrupt messages travelling between the brain and the rest of the body.

The condition can develop over a short period and may be described as acute transverse myelitis. Its effects depend on where the spinal cord is affected and the extent of the inflammation.

Transverse myelitis symptoms vary between individuals. They may include:

  • weakness in the arms or legs;
  • partial or complete paralysis;
  • difficulty walking;
  • changes in balance or coordination;
  • reduced, altered or unusual sensations;
  • nerve pain or back pain;
  • stiffness or muscle spasms;
  • fatigue;
  • bladder or bowel changes.

Some people experience relatively mild difficulties, while others require substantial medical care and rehabilitation. Anyone experiencing new or rapidly developing weakness, changes in sensation or bladder and bowel symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.

Once the acute medical stage has been managed, transverse myelitis rehabilitation can help address continuing problems with movement, mobility and everyday function. The aims of rehabilitation will depend on how the condition has affected the individual and the activities that matter most to them.

How MOTIONrehab Can Help With Transverse Myelitis Recovery

MOTIONrehab provides personalised neurological rehabilitation for people experiencing physical and functional difficulties following transverse myelitis.

Rehabilitation begins with an assessment of your current abilities, challenges and goals. This may include looking at:

  • movement and muscle strength;
  • walking and mobility;
  • balance and coordination;
  • posture;
  • transfers between a bed, chair or wheelchair;
  • hand and arm function;
  • leg and foot function;
  • altered sensation;
  • stiffness and muscle spasms;
  • pain and fatigue;
  • everyday activities at home and in the community.

We will also discuss your medical history, hospital treatment, previous rehabilitation and any advice provided by your neurologist, consultant or wider healthcare team.

Your therapy plan will focus on goals that are meaningful to you. These could include standing more safely, improving your walking, managing stairs, using an affected hand, building strength and endurance or becoming more independent at home.

MOTIONrehab may support people following hospital discharge or inpatient spinal rehabilitation. We can also assess people who continue to experience difficulties months or years after their original diagnosis.

The rehabilitation recommended will depend on your assessment. We cannot promise a particular result or recovery timescale, but we will work with you to establish realistic goals and a personalised plan.

Lexo robotic gait training

Our Innovative Evidence-Based Approach to Transverse Myelitis Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy for transverse myelitis focuses on the movement and functional difficulties caused by the condition. It does not treat the underlying inflammation of the spinal cord.

At MOTIONrehab, specialist neurological physiotherapy may include hands-on treatment, strengthening, walking practice, balance exercises and repeated practice of everyday movements.

Repetition supports neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain and nervous system to adapt and strengthen connections through purposeful activity. Practising the right movements regularly can help someone make better use of their available function and work towards personal goals.

Depending on your assessment, transverse myelitis physiotherapy may include:

  • strength and conditioning;
  • sitting and standing practice;
  • walking and gait rehabilitation;
  • balance and coordination exercises;
  • transfer practice;
  • hand and arm rehabilitation;
  • management of stiffness and restricted movement;
  • task-specific exercises;
  • a home exercise programme;
  • appropriate robotics and advanced rehabilitation technology.

MOTIONrehab’s rehabilitation technology can provide controlled, repetitive movement and feedback during therapy. It may support work on walking, balance, strength, coordination or hand and arm function.

Robotics and rehabilitation technology do not treat transverse myelitis itself. They may form part of a wider rehabilitation programme selected according to the individual’s abilities, difficulties and goals.

woman using balo rehabilitation equipment
TAILORED TO YOU

Intensive Rehabilitation Programmes

Following an individual assessment, some people affected by transverse myelitis may be suitable for an Intensive Neurological Rehabilitation Programme.

MOTIONrehab Can Help With

  • Partial or complete weakness
  • Walking and mobility
  • Balance and reducing falls
  • Hand and arm function
  • Leg and foot function
  • Foot drop
  • Coordination
  • Posture
  • Transfers
  • Stiffness, spasticity and spasms
  • Reduced or altered sensation
  • Neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain
  • Fatigue
  • Confidence with everyday activities
  • Greater independence
MOTIONrehab Bird Icon

Client Stories

SEE HOW WE CAN HELP
MOTIONrehab Bird Icon

Our Approach

Transverse myelitis can affect movement and function differently in every person, so rehabilitation must be individually planned. We begin by discussing your medical and rehabilitation history before assessing your movement, strength, mobility and everyday function.

We will work with you to identify meaningful goals and recommend a personalised treatment plan. This may include clinic-based rehabilitation, home-based rehabilitation or an intensive programme where appropriate. Your progress will be reviewed so that your programme can be adapted as your abilities and priorities change.

Where needed, we can work alongside your existing physiotherapist, occupational therapist, case manager or wider multidisciplinary team to support a coordinated approach.

Find out more
Motion rehab team
1

Speak To Our Specialist Team

Physiotherapy
2

Initial Assessment

intensive neurological physio
3

Your Tailored Therapy Plan

Woman using AMADEO equipment
4

Continued Support

PIONEERS IN THE FIELD

UK’s first Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre

In April 2018, MOTIONrehab launched the UK’s first Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre. The centre in Leeds went on to be recognised by the Financial Times, Google and leading European policy makers as one of the Top 100 companies for digital innovation in the rehabilitation sector.

Following the success of MOTIONrehab’s Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in Leeds and after seeing such positive outcomes for its clients MOTIONrehab launched a second Intensive Robotic Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in Hull during December 2020 and a third in March 2024. MOTIONrehab’s Intensive Neurological Rehabilitation Centres accepts national and international referrals and are International Reference Centres for treatment, teaching and research.

Motion rehab intensive rehab clinic
UNDERSTANDING TRANSVERSE MYELITIS REHABILITATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Transverse myelitis  (TM) is a neurological condition caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. The inflammation can damage myelin, the protective covering around nerve fibres, and disrupt messages travelling between the brain and body.

The effects depend on which part of the spinal cord is involved. Difficulties generally affect areas of the body at or below the affected level.

When symptoms develop rapidly, the condition may be described as acute transverse myelitis. Diagnosis and acute treatment should be managed by a hospital or specialist neurology team.

The TM Society has a helpful and informative website providing more detailed information https://myelitis.org.uk/

The main symptoms of transverse myelitis can include weakness, altered sensation, pain and difficulties with movement. Symptoms can affect one or both sides of the body and vary according to the area of the spinal cord involved.

Possible symptoms include:

  • weakness in the arms or legs;
  • partial or complete paralysis;
  • difficulty walking;
  • loss of balance or coordination;
  • numbness, tingling or unusual sensations;
  • nerve pain or back pain;
  • stiffness or muscle spasms;
  • fatigue;
  • bladder or bowel changes;
  • breathing difficulties in severe cases where the upper spinal cord is affected.

Symptoms may develop over several hours or days. New or rapidly worsening weakness, sensory changes, breathing difficulties or loss of bladder or bowel control require urgent medical attention.

Transverse myelitis treatment usually has two stages: acute medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Acute medical treatment is provided by the hospital neurology team and aims to reduce inflammation and prevent further neurological damage. Depending on the individual situation, treatment may include intravenous corticosteroids, plasma exchange or other specialist treatment.

MOTIONrehab does not provide acute medical treatment for transverse myelitis. This must be managed by an appropriate neurologist, consultant or hospital team.

After the person is medically stable, physiotherapy may address continuing weakness, reduced mobility, altered sensation, stiffness, pain, fatigue and difficulties completing everyday activities.

The treatment and rehabilitation required will differ between individuals. Always follow the guidance of your hospital or neurology team.

Neurological physiotherapy may help someone affected by transverse myelitis improve or manage movement, strength, balance and everyday function.

Following an assessment, physiotherapy for transverse myelitis may include:

  • exercises to improve strength;
  • sitting and standing practice;
  • walking and gait rehabilitation;
  • balance and coordination work;
  • transfer practice;
  • stretching and movement to manage stiffness;
  • hand and arm rehabilitation;
  • endurance and conditioning;
  • task-specific practice;
  • advice about suitable exercises at home.

Physiotherapy for Transverse myelitis treatment should be adapted to the individual’s abilities, symptoms and goals. The programme may also involve appropriate equipment, walking aids or rehabilitation technology.

Physiotherapy does not treat the underlying spinal cord inflammation, but it may help someone make better use of their available function and become more independent.

Rehabilitation usually begins in hospital once the medical team considers it safe and appropriate. It can then continue through inpatient, outpatient, community, home-based or private rehabilitation services.

MOTIONrehab generally supports people after hospital discharge. This may be immediately after inpatient care or later if physical and functional difficulties continue.

The right time to begin or increase rehabilitation depends on the individual’s medical condition, fatigue, current abilities and advice from their neurologist, consultant or rehabilitation team. MOTIONrehab can support you by liaising with hospital teams to start rehabiliation at the right time for you.

Physiotherapy may still be helpful months or years after transverse myelitis, particularly where weakness, reduced mobility, balance problems, stiffness or difficulties with everyday activities remain.

Some people may improve their function, strength, confidence or ability to manage daily tasks. Others may benefit from learning different techniques or using suitable equipment.

The changes that may be possible are different for every person. An individual assessment is required before recommending treatment or discussing realistic goals.

At the first appointment, your therapist will discuss your transverse myelitis diagnosis, medical treatment and previous rehabilitation. They will also ask about the difficulties you currently experience and the activities you would like to improve.

The clinical assessment may look at:

  • strength and movement;
  • posture;
  • sitting and standing;
  • balance;
  • walking;
  • transfers;
  • hand and arm function;
  • leg and foot function;
  • fatigue;
  • everyday activities.

Following the assessment, your therapist will discuss appropriate goals and explain the rehabilitation options available to you.

No, you do not need a referral to have an assessment at MOTIONrehab. You can contact the team directly and arrange an assessment appointment. It would be helpful to share details of any treatment you have received or information from your hospital discharge at your assessment.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Our Results Speak For Themselves

Our Clinics

Motion rehab leeds clinic entrance

Leeds

The Clinic at Morley is equipped with a full suite of robotic and advanced rehabilitation technology and ten spacious clinic rooms. Fully accessible with ground floor toileting facilities and free parking.
Motion rehab doncaster exterior

Doncaster
Brand NEW!

The clinic at Doncaster is equipped with a full robotics and advanced rehabilitation technology. Fully accessible with ground floor toilet facilities and treatment rooms.
Motion rehab hull entrance

Hull

Located at Warners Health Club with a large robotic and advanced rehabilitation technology suite, a gym and private patient treatment rooms. Level access to the building with designated parking spaces and disabled access toilet.
Motion rehab york entrance

York
WE'VE MOVED

Located in Foxoak Park. The clinic is fully accessible with ground floor treatment rooms, refreshment facilities, free parking and more.
MOTIONrehab Bird Icon

See How We Can Help

For more information about how MOTIONrehab can help with Transverse Myelitis rehabilitation, please feel free to get in touch with us by giving us a call, or alternatively fill out the form here and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Get in touch