Non-traumatic myelopathy associated with prolonged hyperextension during swimming: an unusual variation of Surfer’s Myelopathy

Introduction Surfer’s myelopathy (SM) is a rare cause on non-traumatic acute myelopathy. This has classically been described in novice surfers however has been reported in other scenarios. Case presentation We present a case of non-traumatic paraparesis associated with prolonged cervical hyperextension during swimming with imaging characteristics consistent with an unusual variation of SM in a swimmer. Discussion SM and its variants should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient presenting with an anterior spinal cord syndrome with a history of either sustained or repeated spinal hyperextension.