Article

Three patients with diagnoses of surfer's myelopathy (24-31 yrs old; two men, one
woman) were admitted to our rehabilitation hospital. All three patients were
novice surfers and had a typical clinical course of onset: rapid progression of
paraplegia after back pain while taking surfing lessons. Despite months of
rehabilitation at our hospital, in all three patients, complete paraplegia
(T9-T12) and bladder-bowel dysfunction remained. Our case profiles suggest that
the neurologic outcome of surfer's myelopathy is potentially catastrophic, as has
been suggested in previous reports. Surfer's myelopathy has been estimated to be
an ischemic thoracic myelopathy. From our case profiles and review of the
literature, not only the prolonged prone hyperextended posture of paddling but
also the repetitive mechanical stress caused by flexion-extension of the spinal
column may be related to its pathogenesis. To prevent surfer's myelopathy and to
avoid progressive deterioration of neurologic function, increased education and
awareness are essential.

Langue : ANGLAIS