Acute management of surfers’ myelopathy: A case report

Surfer's myelopathy is a rare, non-traumatic spinal cord injury that presents with acute paraparesis, typically following activities involving back hyperextension, such as surfing. This report describes a 13-year-old boy who developed lower extremity weakness and sensory loss after his first surfing lesson. MRI showed hyperintense T2 signals from T9 to T12, indicating spinal cord ischemia. Treatment included dexamethasone and phenylephrine to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 85 mmHg, enhancing spinal perfusion. The patient's motor function improved with early intervention, and intensive rehabilitation further supported recovery, allowing him to ambulate with minimal assistance within one month. This case highlights the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation in promoting recovery from surfer's myelopathy.