Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury is a sudden, catastrophic event that often transforms a strong, healthy individual into someone who is unable to move or function independently.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has been described as one of the most devastating events an individual might ever experience. It is a catastrophe that most often afflicts the young - approximately 82% of spinal cord injuries occur in young men under the age of 30. Today, nearly 200,000 Americans live with spinal cord injuries.

Financial Consequences
Despite its low incidence, spinal cord injury (SCI) carries costs disproportionately high compared to other catastrophic events such as cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke. The estimated national cost for SCI is $8 billion, the lifetime cost of a single case can exceed $1 million. Since many individuals survive their injuries, the total cost to care for these individuals will continue to grow, perhaps by as much as 10% to 20% each year, especially as the injured worker ages and other medical complications come into play. 

Physical and Psychological Consequences
Spinal cord injury not only causes paralysis and sensory loss, but affects virtually every organ system in the body including skin, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urinary, metabolic, and hormonal among others. Each of these areas must have a specific and appropriate management plan implemented to avoid major and costly complications, many of which can lead to prolonged hospitalization, surgery and even death. Because spinal cord injury is relatively rare, it is not unusual for even specialists to lack the experience and expertise to effectively manage issues which can occur in this condition.

In addition to the physical consequences, the reality of living with loss of function, sensation and independence, especially in young people, brings drastic changes to every aspect of life.  Depression is a common and serious complication for injured workers living with a spinal cord injury. Studies show that the degree to which a SCI injured worker is depressed has a direct impact on mortality and the likelihood of reaching rehabilitative goals.

Treatment Challenges
Although many SCI individuals can expect to live a near normal life expectancy, there are still many challenges to rebuilding their lives and their bodies to achieve the highest possible functional outcome.

• Depression. Depression can impact the SCI individual's overall recovery and is linked to chronic pain. Up to 95% of SCI injured workers report chronic pain after injury.
• Pre-existing conditions. Education, work, family support, marital status, and substance abuse can all be factors in an injured worker’s ability to recover.
• Lack of access to expertise. Some SCI patients are not treated in the appropriate acute and rehabilitation facilities and their recovery may be impacted.  Once the individual is home, access to expert SCI medical services may be limited.

• Complexity of injuries. Acutely injured workers often have severe pain, paralysis, fractures, head injuries and loss of consciousness, and can be prone to developing other complications that require many specialists and a collaborative, multidisciplinary care process.  Ensuring good communication and ensuring coordination among multiple providers and treatment plans is challenging.

  Click here to go to the top of the page

Disclaimer: This site is for informational purposes only. The content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your medical condition. Please note that interactions on this site between you and a physician or nurse do not constitute or result in the formation of a physician/injured worker and/or nurse/injured worker relationship.