Journal of Neurology 2022
Surfer’s myelopathy is a perplexing condition in which young, healthy, first-time surfers develop a non-traumatic spinal cord injury, sometimes with permanent neurologic sequelae. Why first-time surfers? What is the pathophysiology? What is unique about surfing? Understanding more about this rare but serious condition will help inform how to prevent it.
Information regarding rare conditions such as this one is often published in case reports or small case series. Alva-Diaz, et al attempt to get a less granular view by compiling 104 cases and by establishing diagnostic criteria. Their findings are interesting, if not distressing; average age 19, 52% are left with some neurologic sequalae, and the majority were the result of surfing (other activities involving an arched back in a prone position such as yoga and gymnastics can also cause myelopathy).
The most common clinical features are back pain (100%), and retention and/or incontinence of bladder or bowels (84%).
This well written review of the subject adds to our understanding of this curious and at times devastating condition.
Full citation:
Alva-Díaz C, Rodriguez-López E, López-Saavedra A, Metcalf T, Morán-Mariños C, Navarro-Flores A, Velásquez-Rimachi V, Aguirre-Quispe W, Shaikh ES, Mori N, Romero-Sanchez R, Pacheco-Barrios K. Is Surfer’s myelopathy an acute hyperextension-induced myelopathy? A systematic synthesis of case studies and proposed diagnostic criteria. J Neurol. 2022 Apr;269(4):1776-1785.
Full article (PDF):
http://journal.surfersmedicalassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Surfers_Myelopathy.pdf