Quadriplegia and Paraplegia Information and Infographic

SCI Facts:

Paraplegia - Paralysis from the waist down

Quadriplegia - Paralysis from the shoulders down

Complete Injuries - Result in the total loss of sensation and function below he injury level

Incomplete Injuries - Result in partial loss of sensation and function below the injury level

• There are 32 injuries per million population or 7800 injuries in the US yearly
• An estimated additional 20 cases per million (4860 per year) die before reaching the hospital
• 89.3% of all persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) who are discharged from the system are sent to private, non-institutional residence
• 6.6% are discharged to nursing home
• The rest are discharged to hospitals, group living situations and other destinations
• Only 0.9% of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) fully recover
• Average yearly expense for spinal cord injuries can range from $228,566 to $775,576 in the first year
• Estimated lifetime costs due to spinal cord injury can range from $681,843 to over $3 million for a 25 year old
• Only 52% of SCI individuals are covered by private health insurance at the time of injury

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This infographic is presented to you in partnership with BackPainRelief.net Check out their site for more information on paraplegia, quadriplegia, and any other back pain related maladies, symptoms, and treatments.

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Causes of Paraplegia and Quadriplegia

• 48% motor vehicles
• 21% falls
• 15% violence
• 14% sports (66% which are diving related)
• 2% others

Race and Ethnicity

• 66% of those injured are Caucasian
• 26.2% are African American
• 2.1% are Asian
• 0.9% are Native American

Age and Gender Statistics

• 82% of those injured are male
• 18% are female
• Highest per capita rate of injuries occurs between the ages of 16-30
• Average age at injury is 33.4
• Median age at injury 26
• Mode age at injury 19
• Falls overtake leading cause after the age of 45

Marital Status at Injury

• 53% single
• 31% married
• 9% divorced
• 7% other

Employment Status

• 58.8% employed
• 41.2% unemployed (includes students, retirees and homemakers)
• After 8 years 34.4% of paraplegics and 24.3% of quadriplegics were still employed

Sources:

1. https://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_0082.shtml

2. https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/spinal/

3. www.apparelyzed.com/paraplegia-paraplegic.html

4. www.visual.ly/spinal-cord-injuries-and-facts