What is surfer’s myelopathy?

Surfer’s myelopathy is a non-traumatic spinal cord injury that affects first time surfers. The novice surfer is affected by a loss of blood flow to the spinal cord, known as an ischemic injury, believed to be caused by the hyperextension of the back while laying on the surfboard for extended time.

How do members experience surfer’s myelopathy?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with surfer’s myelopathy*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for surfer’s myelopathy*

Who has surfer’s myelopathy on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 0
20s 0
30s 0
40s 1
50s 1
60s 2
70+ 0

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 2
Female 2