In the United States, there are currently between 240,000 and 337,000 people living with some type of spinal cord injury. These injuries most often lead to a diagnosis of paraplegia (lower limbs affected) or quadriplegia (all four limbs affected). In addition, spinal cord injuries are typically diagnosed as either incomplete (some movement or sensation below the level of injury) and complete (no movement or sensation below the level of injury).
Important statistics to know about spinal cord injuries:
- Approximately 12,500 new spinal cord injuries occur each year.
- Incomplete injuries are more common than complete injuries.
- Injuries most often happen to people between the ages of 16 and 30.
- The current average age of someone living with a spinal cord injury is 42.
- 80% of spinal cord injury survivors are men.
- 47% of injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents.
- The first year of a spinal cord injury is the most costly. Medical costs can range from $300,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on the type of injury.