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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Services
Expert neuromuscular care to support your independence.
We understand how challenging living with a neuromuscular disease that hinders your ability to walk and communicate can be. At MUSC Health, our specialists provide treatments and rehabilitation therapies that help you remain active and enjoying life. If you or a loved one has multiple sclerosis (MS), it's natural to have questions and concerns. This autoimmune disease causes the immune system to attack myelin, a protective fatty substance covering nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, this damage can lead to symptoms like muscle weakness, vision loss, tremors, slurred speech, and shock-like sensations.
For patients facing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), MUSC Health is the first and only program in South Carolina to earn recognition from The ALS Association as a Certified Treatment Center of Excellence. Our neurologists at MUSC Health provide expert diagnosis and care, helping you maintain independence through a range of treatments and therapies.
What is MS and what are the symptoms?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system by attacking the protective covering of nerve fibers, leading to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis typically include:
- Muscle weakness
- Vision loss
- Tremors
- Slurred speech
- Shock-like sensations
Services we offer for MS and neuromuscular diseases.
We specialize in treating patients with MS, as well as other autoimmune diseases and neuromuscular disorders. You’ll receive expert care from a dedicated team who follows best-practice guidelines, considers the latest research, as well as your individual goals and needs to develop a personalized treatment plan that offers you a high quality of life.
Our physicians participate in groundbreaking research and clinical trials to discover better diagnostic methods and treatments for MS, ALS, and all other neuromuscular diseases.
Every member of your care team has specialized training in the intricacies of your neuromuscular diseases. Guided by your specific needs, team members can include neurologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, urologists, gastroenterologists, physiatrists, nurse practitioners, speech, occupational, and physical therapists, genetic counselors, dietitians, social workers, and psychologists.
As the state’s only academic medical center, MUSC Health actively participates in clinical trials and research. Our researchers are dedicated to identifying causes of these conditions, finding ways to slow or halt the progression of neuromuscular diseases and improving care. Talk to your doctor to find out if you are eligible for a clinical trial.
At our main campus in downtown Charleston, our nurse coordinator will work with you to schedule appointments with all of your specialists on the same visit. Guest services will provide additional support with travel and lodging arrangements. We also see patients with neuromuscular problems at our Mount Pleasant clinic location.
Specialists in our occupational therapy neurological rehabilitation services program tailor treatment plans to your specific needs. We work with you to help you maintain the highest level of function and independence in daily activities.
Find care for MS and other neuromuscular diseases.
MUSC Health - Neurology - Lancaster
Address
834 West Meeting StreetMedical Arts Building 4, Suite G
Lancaster, SC 29720
Hours
- Monday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Specialties
- Neurology
MUSC Health Neurology at East Cooper Medical Pavilion
Address
1600 Midtown Ave1st Floor
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Hours
- Monday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Specialties
- Neurology
MUSC Health Neurology at Rutledge Tower
Address
135 Rutledge Ave6th Floor
Charleston, SC 29425
Hours
- Monday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Specialties
- Neurology
How we diagnose Multiple Sclerosis at MUSC Health.
Accurate MS diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment planning. At MUSC Health, our neurologists use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including:
- Optical coherence testing (OCT): This painless imaging tool checks for retinal nerve inflammation.
- Evoked potentials (EP): Tests for impaired nerve transmission in our advanced neurophysiology lab.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Identifies lesions on the central nervous system that suggest MS.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis: Evaluates fluid for elevated antibodies and proteins to rule out infections and conditions mimicking MS.
Multiple Sclerosis Treatments at MUSC Health.
While MS is incurable, our comprehensive MS Clinic offers medications and therapies to alleviate symptoms, slow disease progression, and promote independence. Treatments include:
Medications: Disease-modifying drugs and steroids to reduce MS attacks and inflammation.
Rehabilitation Services: Occupational therapy to maintain function and independence.
Emotional Support: Neuropsychologists and mental health professionals to help manage depression and anxiety.
At MUSC Health, our neurologists are equipped with the expertise and compassion necessary to provide exceptional care for those affected by multiple sclerosis. Whether you seek diagnosis or are navigating your treatment, our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way.
Leaders in managing ALS.
As the first and only program in South Carolina to earn recognition from The ALS Association as a Certified Treatment Center of Excellence, our ALS Clinic meets the highest national standards for care, offering comprehensive management of ALS in one place.
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Neuromuscular centers and clinics.
Our MDA Care Center was the first in South Carolina established by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Here, patients with a variety of neuromuscular disorders meet regularly with experts for diagnosis, follow-up care, trial opportunities, and therapies. You also have access to MDA representatives and family care specialists.
Our clinic experts specialize in treating people who have:
- Muscular Dystrophies: A group of inherited diseases that causes progressive muscle loss and weakness.
- Myasthenia Gravis: An autoimmune disorder, and less commonly a congenital condition, that disrupts communication between nerves and muscles leading to muscle weakness.
- Hereditary Peripheral Neuropathy: An inherited disease of the peripheral nerves that can hinder movement, sensory input, and autonomic function.
- Myopathy: A group of inherited diseases related to autoimmune disorders or metabolic conditions that causes muscle weakness.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects one’s ability to walk, talk, swallow, hold items, and breathe. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS occurs when nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain progressively deteriorate.
Our ALS experts and the multidisciplinary team work with you and your loved ones to slow the disease progression. We use best-evidence guidelines, backed by research, to help you manage symptoms through a variety of services, including physical, occupational, speech, and nutritional therapies.
Evaluation and assistance from social workers and psychologists help to achieve the high quality of life and care. We are an ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence and a member of the Northeast ALS (NEALS) consortium. Learn more about the ALS Clinic.
Our Neuromuscular Clinic aids the diagnosis and treatment of people with neuromuscular problems, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome or diseases of the peripheral nerves or muscles related to the underlying medical conditions.
Patients may undergo diagnostic tests, such as nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG), in our neurophysiology lab. MUSC Health’s neurophysiology lab is the first and only accredited one of its kind in South Carolina. Other diagnostic tests include nerve and muscle ultrasounds, and skin, nerve, and muscle biopsies.
Experts at our Spasticity Clinic provide treatments for people suffering from spasticity due to spinal cord disorders and injuries. Spasticity causes muscles to uncontrollably tighten or contract. Appropriate treatment reduces pain and improves function.
