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A spinal cord injury is one of the most serious kinds of injury that a person can sustain. The majority of those who suffer damage to their spinal cord suffer permanent paralysis in one or more of their limbs. Infections and secondary conditions which relate to organ function are very common and can cause additional pain and discomfort.
It is estimated that in the UK there are currently 40,000 people suffering paralysis as a result of a spinal cord injury. This figure is increasing by 1,000 people every year, most of whom are male and aged under 30.
The average age of people admitted to hospital with a spinal cord injury is just 19 and in many cases results from risk-taking behaviour. At 19, people are likely to have access to cars and motorcycles; machines that can be driven at high speeds with a real potential for danger, which prove particularly tempting to those who like taking chances.
A study by BASCIS in 2000 found that road traffic accidents accounted for 36% of all spinal cord injuries in the UK. Car accidents represented the cause for 15%, whilst motorcycles caused 10%. When taking into account that there are many more cars on the road than motorcycles, the figure recorded for motorcyclists is disproportionately high.
There are two forms of injury that can occur in a motorcycle accident. The first is fractures and impact injuries that occur during the motorcyclist's initial contact with the road and subsequent bouncing after he is thrown from a bike. The second type of injury is abrasions that are sustained when sliding along the road following a fall.
Spinal cord damage is most likely to occur at the moment of impact with the road. The reason for this is that the force can cause fractures and shattering of the vertebrae, as well as having the potential to contort it in other ways. When the vertebrae are damaged in this way, abnormal pressure or splinters of bone can irreparably damage the spinal cord.
Several studies have shown that although motorcycle helmet use provides good protection from brain injuries and head injuries, it does not have a great effect on preventing spinal cord damage. Helmets may help to prevent some injuries in the cervical region but will have no effect on protecting the spine further down the back.
However, impact resistance clothing such as armour and padding is available and in some cases is designed to reduce both impact and abrasion damage. Motorcyclists are advised to protect points of contact, such as the extremities and the back, as these are most likely to sustain the brunt of the impact.
Developments in technology have allowed some companies to develop jackets for motorcyclists that have an airbag sewn into the lining. Featuring a small carbon dioxide filled cylinder that attaches to the motorcycle, it will inflate if the rider becomes unattached from the machine, creating a protective cushion of air on which the motorcyclist can land. This reduces the huge impact that the body takes upon meeting the ground and hopefully the severity of the injuries too.
Unfortunately there are no statistics available for the efficacy of motorcycle airbag jackets as they are a relatively new invention and finding a good method of testing is difficult. However, with more companies producing them, they are thought to be the future of reducing the number of motorcyclists with catastrophic bodily injuries such as spinal cord damage.
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