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Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Tips
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2003 Releases
Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Tips
(June 23, 2003) — A teenager suffers a broken back in a motorcycle accident … A man is paralyzed from the waist down when he falls from a ladder … A youngster injuries his neck falling from his bicycle …A woman becomes a quadriplegic from diving into shallow water … Injuries such as these affecting the spine or spinal cord can be the most catastrophic form of health trauma that an individual may experience. The impact of this trauma extends to an individual’s family, friends and to society as well. Even under the best circumstances, the individual’s life is often altered with permanent changes of physical function and emotional status.
Summertime means an unfortunate increase of head and spinal injuries. Between 10,000 and 20,000 persons sustain a spinal cord injury in the United States each year. Approximately one-half of these injuries result in quadriplegia (loss of movement in arms and legs), and one-half sustain paraplegia (loss of movement in legs). The leading causes include, motor vehicle crashes, falls, acts of violence, sports and diving.
“Most of these kinds of injuries can be prevented — all it takes is a little bit of thought,” stated Dennis Maiman, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Spinal Cord Injury Center. “This summer, the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Spinal Cord Injury Center is reminding people to “think first” before diving into water. Preventing spinal cord injuries is key. We see the tragedy that happens to people when they decide to get into a car without putting on a seat belt, ride a motorcycle without a helmet or dive into pool without knowing the depth. Although we can help make their quality of life better once the accident happens, we’d rather help people prevent the accidents from ever taking place.”
Prevention of spinal cord injuries involves:
- Using safety belts in vehicles
- Following safe diving rules (dive only in 9-12 feet of water with arms in front, in unknown bodies of water, walk in the first time)
- Exercising caution when playing sports and by wearing protective equipment
- Protecting against falls
- Following the rules in recreational activities
- Prevent children’s access to weapons by educating parents and other adults about the safe storage of firearms
Located in the western suburbs of Milwaukee, Froedtert Hospital and its Adult Level I Trauma Center, has played a critical role in contributing to the quality of life in Wisconsin and northern Illinois since opening its doors in 1980. More than 650 Medical College of Wisconsin physicians and more than 3,000 staff members are dedicated to excellence in patient care, research and medical education at this premier teaching hospital. Through Froedtert's strong partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin, patients benefit from new, life-saving drugs, medical devices and breakthrough surgical techniques.
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