Continuously Increasing Number and Incidence of Fall-Induced, Fracture-Associated, Spinal Cord Injuries in Elderly Persons

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Abstract
FALLS AND fall-induced injuries of older adults are a major public health problem in modern societies with aging populations.1-12 Because the number of older persons in these populations continues to increase, the number of falls and injuries is likely to increase as well.4,6,7,11 Approximately 30% of the older persons living in the community and more than 50% of those living in geriatric long-stay facilities fall every year, and about 50% of those who fall do so repeatedly.2,4 Not all falls of older adults result in injury, but 4% to 5% of the falls cause a fracture, and an additional 5% to 11% of falls cause other serious injuries, eg, serious soft tissue contusions, joint distortions and dislocations, severe wounds and lacerations, and head injuries.2,4-6