Sports and Recreation Are a Rising Cause of Spinal Cord Injury

In brief: Spinal cord injuries related to sports and recreation appear to be increasing in Canada, both absolutely and relative to other causes of spinal injuries. Sports and recreation rose from the third to the second leading cause of spinal injuries treated at two Toronto hospitals between 1948 and 1983, according to an analysis of three series of cases spanning that period. Shallow-water diving was by far the leading contributory activity. Most of the injuries were cervical and most caused complete paralysis below the level of the injury. The results of separate surveys of diving and hockey injuries also are reported. These studies provide an epidemiological base for designing effective prevention programs.