Transverse myelitis

A guide for patients and carers

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Recovery from transverse myelitis

Recovery from transverse myelitis usually begins within two months of the onset of symptoms and can continue for up to two years. People usually make the best recovery between three and six months after the onset of symptoms.

A good or full recovery is possible even after severe symptoms. The myelin sheath surrounding the axons in the spinal cord is able to repair itself, although not always fully. Also, some areas of the spinal cord are only temporarily damaged by the inflammation. They return to normal after the inflammation has gone.

Around a third of people with transverse myelitis can expect to make a good or full recovery with very limited or no long-term effects. Around a third of people with transverse myelitis can expect to make only a limited recovery and are left with significant effects such as physical problems affecting their ability to walk, unusual sensations (paraesthesia) and problems with their bowel and bladder. Around a third of people with transverse myelitis make no recovery.

It is very difficult to predict what sort of recovery an individual will make but recoveries seem to be more difficult for people who experience a sudden onset of symptoms and do not experience much improvement within the first three to six months.

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