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Updated: May 10, 2026

A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor
Published on: July 24, 2012
The economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in Canada
H Krueger1, V K Noonan, L M Trenaman
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Introduction:
The purpose of this study is to estimate the current lifetime economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) in Canada from a societal perspective, including both direct and indirect costs, using an incidence-based approach.
Methods:
Available resource use and cost information for complete/incomplete tetraplegia and paraplegia was applied to the estimated annual incidence of tSCI, by severity, in Canada.
Results:
The estimated lifetime economic burden per individual with tSCI ranges from $1.5 million for incomplete paraplegia to $3.0 million for complete tetraplegia. The annual economic burden associated with 1389 new persons with tSCI surviving their initial hospitalization is estimated at $2.67 billion.
Conclusion:
While the number of injuries per year in Canada is relatively small, the annual economic burden is substantial.
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