A 70-year old woman was admitted with an acute nontraumatic paraparesis. She enjoyed complete independence in all activities of daily living, although she had essential hypertension, dyslipidemia, mild depression and urinary frequency. In the past, the patient underwent a total right knee replacement and removal of right eye cataract. Neurological and radiological investigations excluded any cause for spinal cord compression. Enlarged thyroid gland which was seen on cervical MR scanning was left unnoticed. The diagnosis was made: a spinal stroke. After admission to the rehabilitation ward, full thyroid gland function investigations were conducted. Lower limbs weakness totally subsided when therapy was provided.