Background
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability, with global prevalence rising 81.5% from 1990 to 2019. Sports-related SCIs (SR-SCIs) account for 10% of all traumatic SCIs and are typically caused by high-energy impacts, resulting in more severe neurological deficits. Despite extensive data on SCIs from road traffic accidents, SR-SCIs remain underexplored. In Ireland, there is no comprehensive analysis of SR-SCIs, their functional outcomes, or modifiable treatment variables.
Aims and Objectives
This study aims to conduct a 15-year retrospective analysis of SR-SCIs in Ireland, focusing on cases managed at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) and incorporating functional recovery outcomes from the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH).
1. Assess demographic and clinical characteristics of SR-SCI patients.
2. Examine injury severity, outcomes, and rehabilitation success using relevant parameters ( e.g longitudinal ASIA Impariment Scale).
3. Identify high-risk sports and propose evidence-based prevention and management strategies.
Hypothesis:
Early intervention and tailored rehabilitation protocols improve functional recovery for SR-SCIs, with outcomes varying by sport type, injury severity, and time to treatment.
Research Design
This retrospective cohort study will analyze MMUH clinical databases, supplemented by NRH functional recovery data. Inclusion criteria include patients aged 16–50 with sports-related SCIs; non-traumatic and non-sports-related cases will be excluded.
Key variables to be collected will include:
Patient demographics
Type of sport + mechanism and severity of injury
Immediate management/interventions
Rehabilitation outcomes and functional recovery paramters (e.g return to sport, re-hospitalizations )
Expected Outcomes
The study will provide critical insights into SR-SCIs in Ireland, including demographic trends, injury mechanisms, and long-term recovery. Findings will guide improved clinical protocols, rehabilitation practices, and targeted prevention strategies, with results disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conferences.
This research is aimed to address significant gaps in SR-SCI data and aims to enhance injury management and prevention on a national scale.