Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries don’t discriminate—nearly anyone can become a victim. There are, however, some risk factors that put individuals at greater risk or disadvantage.

Men, for example, account for 80 percent of all spinal cord injury victims; and victims are statistically between the ages of 16 and 35; however, people over 65-years-old are most at risk for falls and related spinal cord injuries.

Participating in risky behaviors like reckless driving or neglecting to wear proper safety gear while playing sports can also put individuals at a higher risk of injury. People with degenerative bone or joint disorders like arthritis or osteoporosis have an increased risk of spinal cord injury.