The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and runs from the neck to the lower back. It has the consistency of toothpaste, and is therefore surrounded and protected by the bony spinal column (the spine). The spinal cord consists of millions of nerve fibres that transmit information to and from the limbs, trunk and organs of the body.

Spinal cord injury happens if pressure is applied to the spinal cord, and/or the blood and oxygen supply to the cord is disrupted. This means that part of the spinal cord dies.

The major causes of traumatic spinal cord injury are traffic-related accidents (motor vehicles and motor cycles), falls, diving and sports-related accidents. There are two main types of spinal cord injury, depending on where the damage to the spinal cord occurs.

Quadriplegia (or more correctly, tetraplegia) is the partial or complete paralysis of the upper and lower portion of the body, including legs, trunk arms and hands. Quadriplegia is a neck injury.

Paraplegia is the partial or complete paralysis of the lower portion of the body, including the legs and, in many cases, some or all the trunk. Paraplegia is a back injury.

Facts and Figures

It is estimated that around 9,000 people are living in Australia today with spinal cord injuries. The ongoing associated costs with their long-term care is in excess of $500 million annually. Each year in Australia there are about 300-400 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI).

People between 15-24 years of age have the highest rate of injury (25% of total cases). Of these cases, 49% are transport-related - many being occupants of motor vehicles due to vehicle rollover or collision, as well as motor cyclists, pedal cyclists and pedestrians.
Of all spinal cord injuries, 82% were male, up from 79% in the study conducted in 2002-03.
Paraplegia represents 48% of spinal cord injuries, with 52% resulting in tetraplegia.

Causes and Contributing Factors

Transport related accidents represent 49% of all spinal cord Injury. These are divided into two groups:

Traffic: 39%

Non-Traffic: 10%
(Off road on farms, trails, mountain bike tracks, beaches and undeveloped recreational areas.)

Falls (both high and low): 29%

Although low falls are less frequent, they are four times more common for those aged 65+. High falls are most common among those aged 15-64, with a third of these high falls occurring at work or as a result of home handyman activities, such as clearing gutters.

Water-related: 9%

Although the incidence of diving and surfing accidents resulting in SCI is low, both surfing and diving into a body of water of apparently unknown depth carry a risk of severe injury.

75% of water related spinal cord injuries are under 35 year of age. 81% of water related spinal cord injuries result in tetraplegia.

Sports-related: 16%
Contact sports, especially rugby and rugby league

75% of sports related spinal cord injuries are people ages under 35. 62% of sports related spinal cord injuries result in tetraplegia.

Hit or struck by an object: 10%

52% of spinal cord injuries cause by being hit or struck by an object result in paraplegia.

Other causes 3%

Source: Cripps RA 2006. Spinal cord injury, Australia, 2004.05. Injury Research and Statistics Series Number 29. Adelaide: AIHW (AIHW cat no. INJCAT 86).