Unique Epidemiology of Spinal Cord Injury in Hawai'i: Wave-related Incidents

Spinal cord injury remains one of the most devastating forms of traumatic injury. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical characteristics of spinal cord injury patients and the geographic location where the injury occurred in the state of Hawai'i. Spinal cord injury cases from 2009-2017 were identified using the State Trauma Registry, which included demographics, mechanism of injury, and outcomes. In 1170 spinal cord injury cases, the second most frequent etiology was an ocean-wave related incident. Over half of wave related spinal cord injury occurred on ten beaches on four islands. Compared to other mechanisms, patients with wave related spinal cord injury were significantly less likely to be Hawai'i residents (15%), screen positive for alcohol (4%), or have an injury in the lower thoracic or lumbar region (4%). These patients were also less likely to die (1%) and more likely to be discharged to home (66%). Wave related incidents are a major cause of spinal cord injury in Hawai'i, disproportionately affecting visitors. Education focused toward middle-aged male visitors at beaches with moderate to severe shorebreak may reduce the incidence of injury.