Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries on the Rise in U.S.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that the number of serious traumatic spinal-cord injuries is on the rise in the U.S. The findings show that the injury rate is growing fastest among the older population, with symptoms ranging from numbness to full-blown paralysis. Analyzing a sample of 43,137 people treated in hospital emergency rooms between 2007 and 2009, the incidence per million of those age 65 and older increased from 79.4 in 2007, to 87.7 in 2009, with falls as the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injury. Furthermore, researchers found that older adults suffering from a traumatic spinal cord injury are four times more likely to die in the emergency room compared to younger adults. Additionally, if they survive and are admitted into the hospital, older adults are six times more likely to die during their inpatient stay. To find out more about the results of this study, click here.