Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex and costly condition that can affect anyone. It is categorized as traumatic (tSCI), caused by events like vehicle crashes or falls or non-traumatic (ntSCI) caused by illness, degenerative changes, or congenital deformities. Common causes of ntSCI include degenerative disorders and spinal tumours, while rarer causes include vascular injury, infection, and inflammatory conditions. ALS and MS are not included in the RHSCIR ntSCI dataset.
In 2023, RHSCIR recorded 787 new tSCI and 571 new ntSCI participants, capturing about 60–70% of acute tSCI cases in Canada. An estimated 30,000 Canadians are living with a tSCI. Annually, around 1,100 new cases are diagnosed, with an average lifetime cost of about $2 million per person. This cost includes both medical expenses and indirect costs like lost wages.
RHSCIR will continue to connect clinicians, researchers, health care administrators and people living with SCI in order to facilitate the translation of research into clinical practice, and promote evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for those living with SCI. As we move forward, RHSCIR will keep evolving to ensure it facilitates world class research, promotes excellence in care and meets the needs of people living with SCI.
We welcome feedback or questions on any aspect of this report. Please contact us at RHSCIR@praxisinstitute.org.
