At present, treatment for myelopathy varies widely. Although various surgical treatments are well known, there are currently no guidelines for the many non-operative domains of care (e.g. pre- and post-operative rehabilitation, pain relief, physiotherapy, nursing). In a powerful initiative led by Prof Chad Cook from Duke University, the RECODE-DCM Perioperative Rehabilitation Incubator is bringing together experts from all relevant disciplines to write management guidelines. Iwan shares his story, as a reminder of why filling this important knowledge gap could provide many simple, immediate gains for people living with myelopathy.