Trends in traumatic spinal cord injury--New York, 1982-1988.

In the United States, injuries resulting from falls are the most common type of injury among persons greater than or equal to 65 years of age, and most spinal cord injuries (SCIs) among persons in this age group are caused by falls. SCI, with its resultant paralysis, is one of the most catastrophic and devastating medical conditions. Previous studies have characterized the epidemiology of SCI. This report describes changes in the reported incidence of SCI in New York during 1982-1988.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)