Individuals aged 60 years at the time of injury have a life expectancy of approximately 7.7 years (patients with high tetraplegia), 9.9 years (patients with low tetraplegia), and 12.8 years (patients with paraplegia).

Why do paraplegics die early?

Respiratory failure in cervical lesions and pulmonary embolism in non-cervical lesions were the most important causes of death related to paraplegia in this group.

Who is the longest living paraplegic?

The longest living quadriplegic is Donald Clarence James (Canada, b. 12 August 1933), who was paralysed on 11 August 1951 and has been paralysed for 69 years and 193 days, as verified on 19 February 2021.