Medical Review: Dr. Gerald Mastaw, MD – Board-Certified Physician
Last Updated: October 2025
What Is Transverse Myelitis?
Transverse Myelitis (TM) is a rare neurological condition in which inflammation affects both sides of a segment of the spinal cord.
This inflammation can damage the protective covering of nerve fibers (myelin), interrupting communication between the brain and body.
Symptoms may develop suddenly or over several days, and their severity varies depending on where the inflammation occurs.
Common Symptoms Include:
- Numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, or torso
- Weakness or paralysis in the limbs
- Back pain or shooting pain radiating down the body
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
- Heightened sensitivity to touch or temperature
TM may arise after infections, autoimmune responses, or other inflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
Recovery outcomes vary widely, some patients recover fully, while others may experience lingering weakness, pain, or mobility challenges.
Conventional Treatment Options
Traditional care for TM focuses on controlling inflammation, preventing relapses, and supporting recovery through rehabilitation.
Common Therapies Include:
- Corticosteroids: High-dose IV steroids to reduce spinal cord inflammation.
- Plasma exchange (PLEX): Used when steroids fail to provide relief, helping remove harmful antibodies from the bloodstream.
- Rehabilitation therapy: Physical and occupational therapy to restore strength and mobility.
- Pain and spasticity management: Medications for nerve pain or muscle stiffness.
- Bladder/bowel support: Training programs and lifestyle adjustments for better control.
While these treatments can lessen symptoms and stabilize inflammation, many patients do not regain full function, prompting exploration of regenerative medicine as an adjunctive approach.
Regenerative Medicine: A New Avenue for TM
Regenerative medicine focuses on healing and restoring tissue rather than simply managing symptoms. One promising area of study uses umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCT-MSCs) to support the body’s repair and immune-balancing processes.
How UCT-MSC Therapy May Help
Research suggests that UCT-MSCs can:
- Calm autoimmune activity and reduce inflammation in the spinal cord
- Protect nerve cells from further damage
- Promote remyelination (repair of nerve fiber insulation)
- Enhance motor and sensory function
- Support long-term neurological recovery
These cells naturally secrete growth factors and healing proteins that may help restore communication pathways between the brain and body.
For patients whose progress has plateaued after standard therapy, regenerative treatment could offer a supportive, non-surgical option to enhance healing.
Note: Stem cell therapies for Transverse Myelitis are not FDA-approved and are considered investigational. However, clinical studies show encouraging signs of safety and neurological improvement in select cases.
Recent Clinical Studies on Regenerative Medicine for Transverse Myelitis
2025 – Combination Secretome + MSC Therapy Enables Full Recovery
Title: Transverse Myelitis Successfully Treated with Posterior Decompression Followed by Secretome and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy
Journal: PMC – Full Text
Summary:
A 5-month-old boy with severe, vaccine-triggered longitudinal TM was left paraplegic and unable to urinate. Following surgical decompression, he received three intrathecal doses of umbilical cord-derived MSCs and MSC secretome.
After each dose, his leg strength and bladder control improved, and by the third treatment he could stand, walk unaided, and regained full bowel/bladder function.
Researchers concluded that the combined MSC and secretome therapy was remarkably effective in this otherwise untreatable TM case.
2021 – Review Highlights Novel Cell-Based Treatments
Title: Neuroimmunology and Novel Methods of Treatment for Acute Transverse Myelitis
Journal: ResearchGate – Full Text
Summary:
This comprehensive review examined new therapeutic directions for TM.
It discussed potassium-channel blockers (like fampridine) showing early improvement in walking speed and proposed the use of glial progenitor cells (neural stem cells) for remyelination.
Authors highlighted the potential of cell-based therapies, such as MSCs and glial precursor transplants, to repair spinal cord lesions and improve recovery outcomes, calling them “a promising direction for future TM treatment.”
2020 – Long-Term Recovery in TM and NMO with UC-MSC Therapy
Title: IV/IT hUC-MSCs Infusion in RRMS and NMO: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study
Journal: Frontiers in Neurology – Full Text
Summary:
Ten patients (five with neuromyelitis optica, five with multiple sclerosis) received both intravenous and intrathecal UC-MSC infusions.
All NMO patients had prior severe TM attacks.
Over 10 years, nine of ten patients improved in neurological function and relapse frequency, and no serious side effects occurred.
These findings indicate that combining IV and IT UC-MSC administration may enhance long-term stability and nerve repair in demyelinating spinal cord diseases like TM.
Is Regenerative Therapy Right for You?
Stem cell–based therapy may be worth exploring if you:
- Have been diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis and continue to experience persistent symptoms
- Have not regained full function with traditional steroid or PLEX therapy
- Prefer a natural, minimally invasive approach to support neurological recovery
- Are seeking an individualized care plan focused on healing and quality of life
At Stemedix, our regenerative medicine specialists evaluate each patient’s history, imaging, and symptoms to determine if biologic therapy could complement existing treatments. Our goal is to help patients regain independence and improve daily function through evidence-informed, science-backed care.
Medical Disclaimer
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Stem cell and exosome therapies for Transverse Myelitis are investigational and not FDA-approved.
Individual results vary. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing any treatment.
References
- Gupta S. et al. Transverse Myelitis Treated with Decompression and MSC Secretome Therapy. PMC., 2025. Full Text
- Iqbal F. et al. Neuroimmunology and Novel Treatments for Acute Transverse Myelitis. ResearchGate., 2021. Full Text
- Liang J. et al. IV/IT hUC-MSCs Infusion in RRMS and NMO: 10-Year Follow-Up Study. Front Neurol., 2020. Full Text
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