Question
My husband Al had a diving accident in 1981 at the age of 34. He fractured c2-c6. Through out the years he has gotten movement back but started going down hill after 23 years.  The movement he had gotten back  was going away.  We saw a surgon  in spinal cord injury's and in July of 2004 he did a posterior cervical laminectomy on c3-c6 Then he spent 3 weeks in rehab.  He has been in pain for the last 23 years.  While he was in rehab many exrays were taken and they said his main problem is he is old.  He turned 58 in December.  What do you feel his life span as a quad will be.  He said he has read that most do not live past 68.  How true is that.  He has never had to have an IC and I have been taking care of him by my self and I am very proud to say he has never had any break down of the skin.
Thank you for your shoulders.
Sincerely,
Mary

Answer
Hi Mary,
Thanks so much for your questions.

I have never heard that Spinal Cord Injuries [SCI] won't/don't live past the age of 68. I seriously doubt that to be true.

Most life span estimates are based on a statistical average. For example, if 4 babies die within the 1st year of life and 1 adult lives to be 100 then, using those 5, you could say human life expectancy is 20.8 years.

When I had my accident, I remember hearing someone say the life expectancy after an SCI was only 19 years. Well, it's been 28 years and I'm still here [and plan on being around well past 68 - I'm 47].

Please understand that the life span estimates for SCIs also includes people who either died instantly or lived less than 24 hours. Some SCIs just give up and lose the will to live.

So, to my knowledge, there is no set year of age for SCIs. And, with the advances in medicine, technology and research, people with SCIs are living longer.

I would also say, that with the care you are providing for him, your husband is very fortunate and should be around past the age of 68.

I sincerely hope this helps aleviate some of your concerns and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me anytime.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie