A multitude of risk factors for falling has been reported for the elderly, however many of these risk factors are not applicable to persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI), who use a wheelchair for mobility.

The objectives of this study are to:

• describe the incidence and prevalence of tips, falls, and fall-related injuries in SCI;
• describe the epidemiology of the fall event (person, time, place, and activity);
• describe any injuries associated with the fall, including the mechanism and nature of the injury, severity of the injury, as well as treatment required;
• determine the risk factors related to falls and fall-related injuries in SCI, and develop a model for predicting falls and fall-related injuries in SCI;
• determine healthcare utilization as well as direct and indirect costs associated with fall-related injuries in SCI; and
• describe patient-perceived short- and long-term consequences of falls in SCI.

This is a prospective cohort study. Data are being collected through patient surveys, medical records, and VA databases. Baseline information includes risk factors (e.g., user characteristics, wheelchair features, wheelchair activities, etc.) and physical environmental data. Monthly follow-up calls track tips, falls, and injuries.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be a veteran with a spinal cord injury and use a wheelchair as primary means of mobility.