---
title: 2017 Spinal Cord Injury Statistics You Ought to Know
description: The SpinalCord team has put together a list of key spinal cord injury statistics you should know to stay informed about these devastating and traumatic injuries
image: https://www.spinalcord.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Spinal-Cord-Injury-Statistics-Blog-890221-edited.jpeg
---

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# 2017 Spinal Cord Injury Statistics You Ought to Know

 Author: [Spinal Cord Team](https://www.spinalcord.com/meet-our-authors)

 Publish Date: December 08, 2020

![The SpinalCord team has put together a list of key spinal cord injury statistics.](https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Spinal-Cord-Injury-Statistics-Blog-890221-edited.jpeg?width=683&name=Spinal-Cord-Injury-Statistics-Blog-890221-edited.jpeg "The SpinalCord team has put together a list of key spinal cord injury statistics.")

When it comes to information and statistics about [spinal cord injuries (SCIs)](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury), there tends to be a lot of misinformation when it comes to knowledge of the general public. In order to push for additional necessary research, it is important to ensure that as much accurate information as possible is being reported to increase awareness.

A spinal cord injury is a traumatic injury that impacts the [spinal cord](https://www.spinalcord.com/what-is-the-spinal-cord), a bundle of nerves that is part of the central nervous system that transmits signals from the brain to the rest of the body. This delicate cord is protected by the vertebral spinal column, the series of bones that runs vertically along your back. Damage to the spinal cord can impact sensory, motor, and reflex capabilities below the injury site. And the higher the injury occurs in the spinal cord, the more severe the damage.

Here are some of the most up-to-date key spinal cord injury statistics you should know in order to stay informed about the reality of these devastating injuries.

### **Spinal Cord Injury Prevalence **

The occurrence of spinal cord injuries is on the rise in the United States, particularly among elderly populations.

- It is estimated that there are [17,500 new spinal cord injuries](https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%20-%202017.pdf) each year in the U.S., meaning that 54 people out of every million Americans suffer such an injury. These statistics do not include individuals who died at the time of their injuries.
- Between 245,000 and 353,000 Americans were estimated to be living with a spinal cord injury in 2017. 
- [Incomplete spinal cord injuries](https://www.spinalcord.com/incomplete-spinal-cord-injury) are becoming more prevalent than [complete spinal cord injuries](https://www.spinalcord.com/complete-spinal-cord-injury) due to advances in research, medical management, and knowledge.  [![twitter-logo](https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter-logo.png?width=18&name=twitter-logo.png)](https://ctt.ec/Ox5BR?utm_campaign=Click%20to%20Tweet&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social)

### **Spinal Cord Injury Demographics**

Spinal cord injuries affect people from all walks of life, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, education level, or income. These SCI statistics truly span in range.

- While spinal cord injuries primarily occur in younger generations, with [more than half of all SCI injuries](http://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Spinal-Cord-Injury) occurring among those who are 16-30 years of age. However, the average age of a spinal cord injury survivor is changing, increasing from an average age of 29 in the 1970s to 42 today. 
- Falls account for the most common cause of spinal cord injuries among elderly populations over age 65.
- [More than 81%](http://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Spinal-Cord-Injury) of reported SCI survivors are men, who also make up nearly 90% of all sports-related SCIs.  [![twitter-logo](https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter-logo.png?width=18&name=twitter-logo.png)](https://ctt.ec/KyGcZ?utm_campaign=Click%20to%20Tweet&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social)
- Since 2010, more than 63% of all SCI survivors are non-Hispanic whites; almost 23% of injuries have occurred among non-Hispanic blacks, which is a higher concentration than the proportion of [black or African-Americans](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045217) in the U.S. general population (13.3%).
- More than 51% of all reported spinal cord injury survivors were either single or never married at the time of their injury. Marriage is slowly increasing over time among these populations, as is divorce.
- More than half of spinal cord injury survivors have at least a high school education at the time of their injury, a number that slowly increases over time.  [![twitter-logo](https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter-logo.png?width=18&name=twitter-logo.png)](https://ctt.ec/7Lml0?utm_campaign=Click%20to%20Tweet&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social)

### **Nature of Spinal Cord Injuries and Prognosis**

According to the [National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center](https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%20-%202017.pdf), the average life expectancy for individuals with spinal cord injuries has not improved since the 1980s, remaining significantly lower than life expectancies of those without SCIs. “Mortality rates are significantly higher during the first year after injury than during subsequent years, particularly for persons with the most severe neurological impairments.”

- Automobile accidents are the [leading cause](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Spinal-Cord-Injury-Hope-Through-Research) of spinal cord injuries, accounting for [38.4% of all cases](https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%20-%202017.pdf) since 2010. This is followed next by falls (more than 30.5%); violence, such as gunshot wounds (13.5%), sporting accidents (8.9%), medical/surgical (4.7), and other spinal cord injury causes (4%).
- [Alcohol use](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20377890) is estimated to be a factor in approximately 25% of all spinal cord injury cases.
- The [average yearly expenses](https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%20-%202017.pdf) in the first year after a high tetraplegia spinal cord injury is $1.079 million. Each subsequent year averages more than $187,443.
- By 2013, it was estimated that spinal cord injuries cost the U.S. healthcare system approximately [$40.5 billion each year](https://www.christopherreeve.org/living-with-paralysis/stats-about-paralysis). This was up from estimated annual costs of $9.8 billion in 1998. [![twitter-logo](https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter-logo.png?width=18&name=twitter-logo.png)](https://ctt.ec/n3k81?utm_campaign=Click%20to%20Tweet&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social)
- [Hospital recovery time](https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%20-%202017.pdf) is decreasing for SCI survivors. Lengths of stay in acute care units at hospitals have decreased to an average of 11 days, down from 24 days in the 1970s. Rehabilitation lengths of stay also have decreased to an average of 25 days from the previous average of 98 days in the 1970s. [![twitter-logo](https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter-logo.png?width=18&name=twitter-logo.png)](https://ctt.ec/896M6?utm_campaign=Click%20to%20Tweet&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social)
- According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health, $71 million was spent on spinal cord injury research in 2016.

To take a journey through the history of spinal cord injuries, download a copy of our guide, [Spinal Cord Injury Breakthroughs](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-breakthroughs-past-present-and-future). 

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**Topics:** Spinal Cord Injury, Education

### Stay Updated on Advancements On Traumatic Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries

About the Author

#### Spinal Cord Team

 The authors of Spinalcord.com are made up of attorneys, those in the medical field, and survivors of spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. Learn more about our team of authors including a brief biography that explains how they impact the SCI and TBI community. 

[Learn More About the Author](https://www.spinalcord.com/meet-our-authors)

**Leave a Comment**

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true

### Spinal Cord Injury

- [Types of Spinal Cord Injuries](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-spinal-cord-injuries)
- [Secondary Complications](https://www.spinalcord.com/secondary-complications-after-sci-spinal-cord-injury)
- [Causes](https://www.spinalcord.com/signs-symptoms-of-spinal-cord-injuries)
- [Symptoms](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-spinal-cord-injuries)
- [Prognosis](https://www.spinalcord.com/prognosis-of-spinal-cord-injuries)
- [Legal Help](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-legal-help-get-a-lawyer)

### Brain Injury

- [Types of Brain Injuries](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-traumatic-brain-injury)
- [Causes](https://www.spinalcord.com/causes-of-traumatic-and-acquired-brain-injuries)
- [Symptoms](https://www.spinalcord.com/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi-symptoms)
- [Prognosis](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-injury-prognosis-for-tbi-abi)
- [Legal Help](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-injury-legal-help-get-a-lawyer)

### Finding Treatment

- [Physician Directory](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-and-spinal-cord-injury-physician-directory)
- [Rehabilitation Directory](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-hospitals-rehabilitation-directory)
- [Technology Advancements](https://www.spinalcord.com/sci-technology-advancements)
- [Prevention](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-prevention)

### Legal Options

- [Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury-lawyer)
- [Brain Injury Lawyer](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-injury-lawyer)
- [Types of Personal Injury Claims](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-personal-injury-claims)
- [Where To Start](https://www.spinalcord.com/brain-spinal-cord-injury-lawyer-where-to-start)
- [Local Assistance](https://www.spinalcord.com/florida-personal-injury-claims)

#### [About Us](https://www.spinalcord.com/about-us)

Spinal cord injuries are traumatic for patients and their families. They cause disruptive changes to every aspect of your life and there is a lot of new information to navigate and understand. Our experts have collected everything in one place to help you learn more about your injury, locate doctors and treatment centers, find financial support, and get assistance navigating your next move.

[Learn More About SpinalCord.com →](https://www.spinalcord.com/about-us)

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  "articleBody" : "The spinal cord is a vital part of the human body. As the vehicle responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the rest of the body and back again, even the smallest interference can be detrimental. Following a traumatic <A href=\"/spinal-cord-injury\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><SPAN style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spinal cord injury</SPAN></A>, this bundle of nerves can become bruised, also known as <A href=\"//www.spinalcord.com/blog/contusion-vs.-concussion-understanding-the-difference\">a contusion.</A> Because of the nature of the nervous system, any interference can constitute a serious spinal contusion, but these facts will help you dissect all of the information from the medical professionals.</P>\n\n<H2><STRONG>What Is a Spinal Contusion?</STRONG></H2>\n<IMG src=\"https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=300&amp;name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg\" alt=\"Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image\" width=\"300\" style=\"width: 300px; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;\" srcset=\"https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=150&amp;name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg 150w, https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=300&amp;name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg 300w, https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=450&amp;name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg 450w, https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=600&amp;name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg 600w, https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=750&amp;name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg 750w, https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=900&amp;name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"/>\n<P>Much like any other bruise, a contusion can cause bleeding from local blood vessels and inflammation which, rather<I><SPAN style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> unlike</SPAN></I> bruises on other parts of the body, can have serious negative impacts on the spinal cord itself. Because the<A href=\"/blog/contusion-vs.-concussion-understanding-the-difference\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> “blood must clot to stop the bleeding”</A>a bruise results from contusions also increase cardiovascular risks.</P>\n<P>For example, the swelling a contusion can cause will often disrupt nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the body through the spinal cord, and the severity of this will depend upon the level of injury. Unlike a concussion, a contusion would not cause unconsciousness or a ‘blackout’, but instead cause the patient to feel a numbness or tingling in the extremities.</P>\n<P>A contusion can cause spinal compression, which happens when there is pressure on the spinal cord. This can go on to cause an array of <A href=\"http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/nervous_system_disorders/spinal_cord_compression_134,13/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">physical symptoms</A> such as loss of sensation in the feet, inability to use the hands and loss of sexual ability. It must be noted that not all contusions cause spinal compression, and not all spinal compression is caused by a contusion, although they do often connect this way.</P>\n<H2><STRONG>Warning Signs of a Serious Spinal Contusion to Watch For</STRONG></H2>\n<P>Firstly, doctors will try and establish what area or limb the injury has affected. Spinal contusions most often “affect the upper extremities bilaterally and also sometimes involve the lower extremities,” <A href=\"http://www.healio.com/orthopedics/journals/ortho/2012-1-35-1/%7B7b1ed5f6-d6ca-435e-b69a-dba8a6d7c3c0%7D/spinal-cord-contusions\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">according to Dr. Wong</A>, an orthopedic physician.</P>\n<P>Symptoms include “numbness, tingling, [or] electric shock-like sensations and burning in the extremities,” <A href=\"http://www.aans.org/patient%20information/conditions%20and%20treatments/spinal%20cord%20injury.aspx\">(American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2016)</A>. Generally falling into the category of “spinal trauma” there are many symptoms which are similar to other forms of spinal trauma and spinal cord injury. Below are some symptoms of spinal trauma:</P>\n<UL>\n<LI>Spinal shock — or the &quot;loss of feeling or movement below site of injury&quot; <A href=\"http://www.columbianeurosurgery.org/conditions/spinal-trauma/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><I>(Columbia University Medical Centre, 2016) </I></A>that can last between hours and weeks</LI>\n<LI>Loss of bladder or bowel function</LI>\n<LI>Difficulty breathing</LI>\n<LI>Muscle spasticity</LI>\n<LI>Difficulty understanding speech</LI>\n<LI>Problems with attention</LI>\n<LI>Memory challenges</LI>\n<LI>Heart rate and blood pressure problems</LI>\n</UL>\n<P>Unfortunately, it is sometimes challenging to identify which symptoms are due to a spinal contusion, and which ones are the result of a spinal cord injury directly. It can sometimes require a few days or weeks for the body to recover from spinal trauma and reveal if any permanent damage is left from the accident that caused the SCI.</P>\n<P>Understanding what a contusion is, and how it can come into play following a spinal cord injury is important in order to clearly appreciate your injury, understand your diagnoses, and work toward treatment and a prognosis. Doctors can sometimes use jargon that’s difficult to understand, so the more you can educate yourself about your condition, the more control you can have in your recovery and treatment.</P>\n<P>If you still have questions about the details of the spinal cord and how it may be affected from your injury, please contact us or download our <A href=\"/the-simplified-guide-to-understanding-a-spinal-cord-injury\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">guide to understanding a spinal cord injury</A>.",
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"description":"The spinal cord is a vital part of the human body. As the vehicle responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the rest of the body and back again, even the smallest interference can be detrimental. Following a traumatic spinal cord injury, this bundle of nerves can become bruised, also known as a contusion. Because of the nature of the nervous system, any interference can constitute a serious spinal contusion, but these facts will help you dissect all of the information from the medical professionals.

What Is a Spinal Contusion?
Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image
Much like any other bruise, a contusion can cause bleeding from local blood vessels and inflammation which, rather unlike bruises on other parts of the body, can have serious negative impacts on the spinal cord itself. Because the “blood must clot to stop the bleeding”a bruise results from contusions also increase cardiovascular risks.

For example, the swelling a contusion can cause will often disrupt nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the body through the spinal cord, and the severity of this will depend upon the level of injury. Unlike a concussion, a contusion would not cause unconsciousness or a ‘blackout’, but instead cause the patient to feel a numbness or tingling in the extremities.

A contusion can cause spinal compression, which happens when there is pressure on the spinal cord. This can go on to cause an array of physical symptoms such as loss of sensation in the feet, inability to use the hands and loss of sexual ability. It must be noted that not all contusions cause spinal compression, and not all spinal compression is caused by a contusion, although they do often connect this way.

Warning Signs of a Serious Spinal Contusion to Watch For
Firstly, doctors will try and establish what area or limb the injury has affected. Spinal contusions most often “affect the upper extremities bilaterally and also sometimes involve the lower extremities,” according to Dr. Wong, an orthopedic physician.

Symptoms include “numbness, tingling, [or] electric shock-like sensations and burning in the extremities,” (American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2016). Generally falling into the category of “spinal trauma” there are many symptoms which are similar to other forms of spinal trauma and spinal cord injury. Below are some symptoms of spinal trauma:

Spinal shock — or the loss of feeling or movement below site of injury (Columbia University Medical Centre, 2016) that can last between hours and weeks
Loss of bladder or bowel function
Difficulty breathing
Muscle spasticity
Difficulty understanding speech
Problems with attention
Memory challenges
Heart rate and blood pressure problems
Unfortunately, it is sometimes challenging to identify which symptoms are due to a spinal contusion, and which ones are the result of a spinal cord injury directly. It can sometimes require a few days or weeks for the body to recover from spinal trauma and reveal if any permanent damage is left from the accident that caused the SCI.

Understanding what a contusion is, and how it can come into play following a spinal cord injury is important in order to clearly appreciate your injury, understand your diagnoses, and work toward treatment and a prognosis. Doctors can sometimes use jargon that’s difficult to understand, so the more you can educate yourself about your condition, the more control you can have in your recovery and treatment.

If you still have questions about the details of the spinal cord and how it may be affected from your injury, please contact us or download our guide to understanding a spinal cord injury.",
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