An increasing number of people with SCI are dying of unrelated causes such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, similar to that of the general population. Mortality rates are significantly higher during the first year after injury than during subsequent years. To go directly to a section, click on a topic below. Interesting trends in the database show proportions of injuries due to motor vehicle crashes and sporting activities have declined while proportion of injuries from acts of violence has increased over the years. To go directly to a section, click on a topic below.
Complete injuries result in total loss of sensation and function below the injury level.
Incomplete injuries result in partial loss. Each of the above categories can occur in paraplegia and quadriplegia. More than half of those persons with SCI reported being employed at the time of their injury. The post-injury employment picture is better among persons with paraplegia than among their tetraplegic counterparts. Residence Historically, many persons with SCI were forced to live out the remainder of their lives in institutional settings such as nursing homes.