Annual Probability of Spinal Cord Injury
~1 in 18,500
Annual probability in US
About 18,000 new spinal cord injuries occur in the US each year, most commonly from vehicle crashes and falls.
Approximately 17,900 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur each year in the United States, with a prevalence of about 299,000 people living with SCI. The average age at injury has increased from 29 in the 1970s to 43 today, reflecting the growing proportion of SCIs from falls among older adults.
Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause (38%), followed by falls (31%), violence (primarily gunshot wounds, 14%), sports/recreation (8%), and medical/surgical complications (4%). Males account for about 78% of new SCI cases. About 48% of injuries result in tetraplegia (impairment in all four limbs) and 52% in paraplegia.
The lifetime healthcare costs for a person with SCI are estimated at $1.2 million to $5.4 million depending on the level and completeness of injury. Life expectancy has improved but remains significantly shorter than for the general population. Respiratory complications are the leading cause of death. Emerging therapies including epidural stimulation, stem cell treatments, and brain-computer interfaces show promise for restoring some function.
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