Spinal Cord Injury Facts You Need to Know

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) occur every day all over the world. Most of the causes are preventable. For example, the SCI may occur due to a car accident, a fall, or even an assault. If you are living with paralysis due to a spinal cord injury, you want to learn as much as possible about the situation you are dealing with. Every piece of information you gather may help you to choose the right spinal rehab center. This, in turn, may optimize your recovery and independence level.

With that in mind, here are some spinal cord injury facts that you need to know. 

The Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury  

We have already mentioned some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries. However, we want to break down the top five categories of injury cause, as reported by Spine Universe. 

The number one cause of SCI is motor vehicle accidents. Nearly 40% of cases relate to traumatic injuries caused in this particular type of accident. It helps to reinforce the importance of safe driving techniques. In addition, be sure to always wear your seatbelt. 

The second most common cause of spinal injuries is falling, with nearly a third of cases in this category. Again, it helps to underline the importance of safety. This is especially so when you have to work with your feet off the ground. For example, many injuries occur with the use of ladders, scaffolding, working on rooftops. These are situations where proper safety measures such as spotters and harnesses must be in place.

Rounding out the causes are assaults, which comprise a shocking 13.5% of cases, sports injuries (8%), and complications from medical procedures and surgeries (4.3%). 

Knowing the most common causes of spinal cord injuries can help people to avoid finding themselves in this situation. However, the rest of our facts will focus on those who are already living with paralysis due to an SCI.

Increased Mortality Risk Due to Spinal Cord Injury  

A crucial factor to consider involves the increased risk of premature death following a spinal cord injury. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most significant increase in mortality rate occurs during the first year following an SCI. The risk of death is up to 5 times as high in the first 12 months after an injury to the spinal cord. 

Some of the most critical factors include the means of transportation to the hospital and how quickly they arrive at the needed medical facility to receive treatment. In poorer nations, the most significant cause of death following an SCI relates to things such as infections that may occur and other preventable associated conditions. In higher-income countries, these risks are lower.

Economic Concerns Associated with SCI

While the situation is different for each patient, the WHO did also comment on the increased economic issues SCI patients deal with. Here are a few examples:

• Medical costs – The higher the SCI occurs and the more severe the injury is, the higher the overall medical expenses. 
• Direct expense – During the first year following an SCI, the direct costs are the highest. This is primarily due to medical expenses. These costs will drop over time.
• Indirect expense – Indirect costs can include lost work, especially if a person is no longer able to continue their previous career. Over time, indirect losses usually overtake direct expenses as the costliest part of the injury.
• Spinal cord injury is usually a more expensive cause of paralysis than other causes like stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and the like. 

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Goals 

Following a spinal cord injury, you want treatment to begin as soon as possible. What are the goals of spinal cord surgery?

1. Relieve pressure on the spinal cord – If there is compression on the spinal cord due to the injury, the first goal of the surgeon is to move whatever is causing the compression. This may include portions of a broken vertebra.
2. Spine stabilization – The purpose of the spine is to protect the spinal cord and help support the weight of the body. However, following an injury, this may no longer be the case. A surgeon may need to use things like metal plates, rods, or screws to brace the spine while the bones are healing. 

Once the immediate dangers are over, then you can begin rehabilitation. This will usually start in the hospital. However, you can later move your recovery to an outpatient spinal rehab center. 

Southern Florida’s Advanced Spinal Rehab Center 

At iAM ABLE in Miami, we use a blend of traditional and modern therapy techniques to help SCI recovery patients to achieve optimal results. For example, besides physical therapy, we also provide gait training with the Lokomat machine as well as functional electrical stimulation (FES). This combination of rehabilitation therapies can be beneficial for patients while they recover from an SCI. 

We also offer an online book to help SCI patients to have the right attitude and mental focus regarding the recovery process. The book is entitled 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis. Recovery after an SCI is a long journey, and it is our hope that this book will help set you on the path to success in regaining the most independence possible. Request your book today, and don’t forget to contact iAM ABLE to learn about our unique process and therapies for recovering SCI patients.   

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.