• The spinal cord consists of millions of nerve fibres that conduct messages between the brain and the body that allow us to breathe, feel, move and walk. A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when trauma or disease damages the spinal cord, interrupts those messages, and results in partial or complete paralysis.

What are paraplegia and tetraplegia (quadriplegia)?

The level of paralysis is determined by where the damage occurs in the neck or back. Paraplegia is the complete or partial loss of sensation and movement in legs and in part or all of the trunk, usually resulting from damage to the spinal cord in the lower back. Tetraplegia, or quadriplegia, is complete or partial paralysis of both arms and legs, and part or all of the trunk, resulting from injury in the neck.

The severity of the paralysis is determined by the extent of damage to the spinal cord at any particular level. Generally, the injury is considered to be complete if there is a complete loss of voluntary movement and sensation below the level of the injury; otherwise, the injury is considered to be incomplete.

Typical categories of SCI

Damage to the spinal cord commonly occurs in the following ways:

• Traumatic injury resulting from physical trauma to the spinal cord, caused by motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports injuries, or other incidents.
• Acquired diseases that can cause tumors or cysts on the spine, or viral or bacterial infections (including polio). Other diseases such as multiple sclerosis can, in some cases, progress to the point of causing lesions on the spinal cord that can result in paralysis.
• Congenital disorders, such as spina bifida, where the spinal cord is malformed or exposed at birth.

Is there a cure for SCI?

Damage to the spinal cord due to an injury can be permanent and a cure remains elusive. However, new research proves that spinal cord repair and regeneration is possible. More and more researchers around the world believe that a cure for paralysis is possible. Meanwhile, improvements in rehabilitation medicine continue to minimize disability after SCI. In addition, new breakthroughs and discoveries are helping people to better manage quality of life issues associated with spinal cord injury, such as chronic pain, bladder and bowel complications, pressure ulcers, sexual dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to respiratory problems. Even modest improvements in functional ability and reduced secondary complications can make a huge difference in the quality of life for many people with SCI.

Other Facts about SCI

How many Canadians currently live with SCI?

• It is estimated that there are currently 85,556 persons living with spinal cord injury in Canada, 44,000 living with SCI as a result of traumatic causes.
• Based on the selected publications, and data on the current and historical demography of Canada, it is estimated that there are 4,529 new cases of spinal cord injury in Canada each year, 1,786 as the result of traumatic injury from external causes such as car accidents and the rest as a consequence of diseases and other non-traumatic causes.
• Almost half of new traumatic injuries occur in people 15 to 39 (most male) as a result of motor vehicle accidents, sporting accidents and other external causes.
• Cases of SCI are projected to increase over the next two decades, with the number of new traumatic and non-traumatic cases increasing from the 4,700 estimated for 2010 to 6,400 new cases estimated in 2030; and from the current estimated 86,000 persons living with SCI in 2010 to 121,000 persons in 2030.

Compared to the general population, people with traumatic SCI:

• Are re-hospitalized 2.6 more times
• Require 2.7 more times contact with a physician
• Require 30 times more hours of home care services
• Have a far shorter life expectancy, from 15 to 30 fewer years

The economic burden of SCI is equally staggering:

• The current annual economic burden of traumatic SCI in Canada is approximately $3.6 billion, of which $1.8 billion is associated with direct health care costs.
• The substantial costs attached to the tens of thousands of Canadians dealing with the effects of SCI due to non-traumatic causes were not included in the $3.6 billion figure.
• Disability payments for individuals with SCI are estimated at $139 million annually.