Overview of spinal cord injury from traumatic causes

The spinal units (SUs) reported two hundred and sixty-four cases of SCI from traumatic causes, newly incident in 1996/97. Complete enumeration of cases at each SU was confirmed by the Director or Staff. However, registration information was not provided for 12 cases by two SUs (8 cases from New South Wales and 4 from Queensland). The 252 cases for whom case registration information was supplied were characterised as follows:

• 15 had no deficit, mostly admitted for suspected SCI or transient cord concussion;
• 8 were reported to have died on ward during treatment (mainly elderly patients, mean age of 76 years);
• 229 cases were discharged from the SUs with a neurological deficit.

Given the rarity, at present, of neurological recovery from SCI, the cases discharged with a neurological deficit can be regarded as 'persisting cases'. These cases are an important group to monitor because they contribute to the prevalent SCI population whose health care and welfare needs require ongoing management and financial support. The size of the group reflects the cumulative effects of the rate of incidence of SCI, the patient response to retrieval and treatment, and the rate of survival to discharge. The annual incidence rate of persisting cases of SCI from traumatic causes has been selected as one of the indicators of the National Health Priority Area of Injury Prevention and Control².