[Comparison of causes for spinal injuries in the city and in the countryside]

3235 patients admitted to the hospital within 1965-1988 early after trauma to the spine, were treated. Using the case histories of these patients, the most frequent causes of lesions to the spine are delineated. Young persons are most frequently subjects to the trauma (66% up to 40 years of age) in urban regions. The most frequent causes of such a trauma include: road accidents, jumps to the water, suicidal jumps, fall from the steps, ladder, roofs etc. People in middle and advanced age are most frequently subjects to the trauma in rural regions. The most frequent causes of such a trauma include: falls from the horse-carriages, ladder, trees, roofs, and motorcycle accidents. Functional results of the treatment were also analysed. The authors consider these results favourable as the majority of victims admitted to the hospital had symptoms of the paralysis. Walking ability was restored in 59% of the treated patients. No significant difference in the functional results of therapy was noted in both patients from urban and rural regions. Objective difference is, however, significant, depending on the degree of lesions to the spinal cord seen at the admission to the hospital.