Paragliding accidents with spinal cord injury: 10 years' experience at a single institution.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 41 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) after paragliding accidents.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the lesioned pattern and prognostic radiologic factors for rehabilitation potential.


BACKGROUND
Paragliding accidents with SCI present a new injury pattern, dealt with in the current literature from a purely orthopedic, sports medicine, or insurance point of view. Few combinations of orthopedic and neurologic data are available.


METHODS
Over a 10-year period, the case records of 41 patients with SCI caused by paragliding accidents were analyzed with regard to vertebral and other skeletal fractures, neurologic recovery (American Spine Injury Association score), and professional reintegration.


RESULTS
Vertebral fractures peaked in the thoracolumbar region, with L1 most frequently (30%) affected. The levels of vertebral lesion and neurologic deficit differed in 32% of patients. Combination with lower-limb fractures was characteristic for paragliding SCI (P < 0.001); 93% of patients with initial bony occlusion of the spinal canal of <70% left the clinic ambulatory.


CONCLUSIONS
Paragliding accidents with SCI show a characteristic injury pattern associated with a high recovery potential if the initial bony spinal canal occlusion is <70%. Half the patients will reintegrate in their former profession and place of employment.
Gauler
Rolf
R
Medical Clinic, Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Nottwil, Switzerland.
Moulin
Patrick
P
Koch
Hans G
HG
Wick
Lukas
L
Sauter
Benno
B
Michel
Dieter
D
Knecht
Hans
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001359:Aviation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013557:Switzerland; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae