DOS 2018

196 · DOS Abstracts Spinal Injury Epidemiology in Denmark; a prospective, center-based study from the SPINE database Oliver Zielinski, Rune Bech, Martin Gehrchen, Benny Dahl HovedOrtoCenteret, Rigshospitalet; Department of Orthopedics, Texas Children’s Hospital Background: The general epidemiology of any injury can be used to guide preventative treatment efforts, and identify areas of potential future concern. Trends of spinal injuries have previously been researched, however the epidemi- ology of traumatic spinal injuries in a general population has not yet been quan- tified in a large, prospective study, inclusion of the whole columna, all trauma mechanisms, and without focus on specific subpopulations. Purpose / Aim of Study: Our aim was to describe current trends and relations of traumatic spinal injuries in a general Western population and identify potential areas where future preventative efforts can be aligned. Materials and Methods: All patients referred due to suspicion of spinal injury to the Spine Unit at Rigshospitalet, during a one- year period, were prospec- tively assessed for inclusion. Epidemiological and etiological factors were regis- tered for each patient and specific spinal injury. Findings / Results: 714 spinal injuries were registered, with a mean of 1,53 injured levels per patient. The ratio of female to male patients was 1:1,17, and 53,1% of patients were >65 years of age with a mean age of 61,2 years. High- energy (HE) trauma accounted for 54,6% of injuries, while 62,7% of patients had no concomitant injuries. 55 injuries resulted in neurological damage. 80,3% of fractures were treated conservatively, while the remaining 19,7% were treated surgically. Conclusions: Our results affirm what previous studies have shown with regards to traumatic spinal injuries in a general population, although we have shown a shift towards a more elderly patient group, and a more even gender distribution. This group of patients require further follow-up. Our data can be used as a tool in the future allocation of resources and as a way to guide preventative treat- ment efforts. 137.