Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is damage to the spinal cord caused by external physical impact, leading to partial or complete loss of motor, sensory, and/or autonomic function below the level of injury.

• Worldwide incidence: 10–80 cases per million population per year.
• Estimated annual cases: 250,000–500,000 globally (WHO).
• Data limitations: Underreporting is frequent, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

• Bimodal age peak:
  1. Young adults (15–29 years)
  2. Older adults (65+), often related to falls
• Gender: Predominantly affects males (~80% of cases)

• Road traffic accidents (RTAs): 35–50%
• Falls: 20–30%, increasing in elderly populations
• Violence (gunshot, stab wounds): 10–15%
• Sports and recreation: 5–10% (e.g., diving, rugby, skiing)

• Cervical injuries: Most frequent; especially C5–C7
• Thoracic injuries: Higher likelihood of complete injury
• Lumbar injuries: Often involve cauda equina syndrome
• Severity:
  1. Complete (ASIA A): ~30–40%
  2. Incomplete (ASIA B–D): ~60–70%

• High early mortality in cervical and high thoracic injuries
• Leading cause of permanent disability in young adults
• Life expectancy:
  1. Reduced compared to the general population
  2. Improving with advances in acute and rehabilitative care

• Aging population: Rise in fall-related TSCI among the elderly
• Prevention efforts: Decline in RTA-related TSCI in high-income countries
• Technological advances: Better prehospital care and surgical management

← Back to TSCI main article