MS changes over years, and the vocabulary around long-term progression is one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of living with the disease. Terms like SPMS, PPMS, and the EDSS scale often arrive without explanation, implying more than they actually mean. These definitions lay out what each one describes and — more importantly — what they do not.
3 terms in this topic
Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS)
Secondary progressive MS is a phase some people move into after years of relapsing-remitting MS. In SPMS, symptoms gradually build up over time, with or without clear relapses in b...
Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
Primary progressive MS is a form of MS where symptoms gradually build from the very beginning, without the clear relapses and remissions seen in RRMS. About one in ten people with ...
EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale)
The EDSS is a scale from 0 to 10 that doctors use to describe how much MS is affecting physical function, especially walking. Lower numbers mean little or no impact, while higher n...
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Reviewed by the MS Buddy editorial team. Not medical advice — always consult your care team.