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Surfer's myelopathy.

Todd P Thompson1, James Pearce, Gonzolo Chang

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Straub Clinic & Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii. tthompson@biltmorecomm.com

Spine
|August 11, 2004
PubMed
Summary
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Surfer's myelopathy is a rare, nontraumatic spinal cord injury affecting new surfers, causing paraparesis or paraplegia. While most recover, some experience lasting deficits, highlighting the need for awareness and prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Spinal Cord Injury Research

Background:

  • Surfer's myelopathy is an underreported, nontraumatic spinal cord injury.
  • It specifically affects individuals new to surfing.

Observation:

  • A retrospective analysis identified nine cases of surfer's myelopathy between 1998 and 2003.
  • Patients presented with paraparesis/paraplegia, back pain, and urinary retention.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal signal changes in the lower thoracic spinal cord.

Findings:

  • Most affected individuals were young adults (average age 25).
  • Outcomes varied, with three patients fully recovering, four showing mild residual weakness, and one remaining paraplegic.
  • Urinary retention was a common persistent symptom.

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Implications:

  • This condition necessitates improved clinical recognition and diagnostic protocols.
  • Understanding risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies for novice surfers.
  • Further research into the pathophysiology of surfer's myelopathy is warranted.