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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
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A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: January 5, 2015
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Traumatic and Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injuries.
Laurence Ge1, Karan Arul1, Tochukwu Ikpeze1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA.
World Neurosurgery
|December 19, 2017
Summary
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are increasingly nontraumatic, especially in older adults, with higher complication and mortality rates. The study highlights a shift in SCI causes and demographics.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Aging population in the United States necessitates understanding evolving spinal cord injury (SCI) mechanisms, treatments, and outcomes.
- Limited literature exists on nontraumatic SCI, highlighting a gap in current research.
- The epidemiology of SCI is rapidly changing, requiring updated insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the causes, management, complications, and outcomes of spinal cord injuries (SCI).
- To analyze differences in SCI epidemiology across age groups, focusing on traumatic vs. nontraumatic etiologies.
- To assess the impact of age on SCI management strategies and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients with traumatic and nontraumatic SCI.
- Inclusion criteria: patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit at a level 1 trauma center.
- Data collected from 2003 to 2013, encompassing 685 unique patients across different age demographics.
Main Results:
- Nontraumatic SCIs constituted 61.6% of all cases, with falls being a significant cause.
- Older adults (≥65 years) showed higher rates of stenosis, spondylotic myelopathy, and cancer-related SCI.
- Mortality rates significantly increased with age, and were higher in nontraumatic SCI patients (27.7%) compared to traumatic SCI patients (14.8%).
Conclusions:
- Spinal cord injuries are predominantly nontraumatic, with falls being a more frequent cause than anticipated.
- The demographic and etiological landscape of SCI is shifting, with older individuals experiencing distinct injury patterns and poorer outcomes.
- Age is a critical factor influencing SCI management, complications, and survival rates.
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