Abstract :
Background: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) carry significant impact physically, socially, psychologically and
emotionally to the individual and to the society. Risk factors involved, mode of injuries, constraints of
management and rehabilitation are different in developing regions. Aims & Objectives: The current study
was aimed to find out the spinal cord injury patient load in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS),
which was a teaching medical college in the State of Manipur and also to find out the preventable risk factors
associated with spinal cord injuries. Methods: Spinal cord injuries presented in RIMS, Imphal during the
period 2011-13 were evaluated prospectively. Demographic details, aetiology of injury, initial treatment before
referral, method and time taken for transportation and progression of recovery were recorded. Results: A
total of 52 SCI cases attended RIMS during the two years of study. Most commonly involved age-group was
20-40 years with a male: female ration of 3:1. Fall-related injuries were the most common mode of injury
(48.08%). All the patients were transported to hospital without proper immobilization and unattended by
trained paramedics in vehicles not suitable for transporting SCI patients. Conclusion: SCI is a serious
condition, resulting to severe disability or death. Patients who survive often have multiple complications. Yet,
the problem of SCI is still not adequately addressed by the existing medical and public health system. There
is a strong need to identify risk factors and to take up steps to control them by disseminating information to
masses, to train paramedics in rural areas about the initial handling and transportation of suspected SCI
patients. Trauma evacuation protocols need to be developed and pre-hospital care of suspected SCI cases
need to be developed.
Keyword :
Age-wise incidence, Risk factors, Spinal cord injury.