Surfer’s myelopathy
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Surfer’s myelopathy. This is a non-traumatic myelopathy associated with surfing. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Pathology
- This is a non-traumatic myelopathy associated with surfing
- It is an ischaemic myelopathy of the distal thoracic spinal cord
- It results from prolonged spinal hyperextension
- Valsalva manouevre whilst ‘popping up’ on the surf board also contributes
Other risk activities
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spine: features
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Angiography
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Treatment
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References
- Avilés-Hernández I, García-Zozaya I, DeVillasante JM. Nontraumatic myelopathy associated with surfing. J Spinal Cord Med 2007; 30:288-293.
- Cleaver J, Boehm M, Faulkner H. Acute paraparesis during surfing: the perils of riding the wave. Clin Med (Lond) 2022; 22:475-477.
- Nakamoto BK, Siu AM, Hashiba KA, et al. Surfer's myelopathy: a radiologic study of 23 cases. Am J Neuroradiol 2013; 34:2393-2398.
- Bakhsheshian J, Chang KE, Strickland BA, Donoho DA, Christian EA. Teaching NeuroImages: Acute neurologic deficits due to surfer's myelopathy. Neurology 2016; 87:e206-e207.
- Freedman BA, Malone DG, Rasmussen PA, Cage JM, Benzel EC. Surfer's myelopathy: a rare form of spinal cord infarction in novice surfers: a systematic review. Neurosurgery 2016; 78:602-611.
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