Inversion Table Fall Injury, the Phantom Menace: Three Case Reports on Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Background: An inversion device, which is used to suspend one’s body and perform traction therapy, was introduced as an inversion table under the name of “Geokkuri” in South Korea. Fall injuries while hanging on inversion tables are among the most devastating spine injuries, as the likelihood of severe neurological sequelae such as tetraplegia increases. However, its enormous danger has been overlooked and this devastating injury has become a common clinical entity over time. The limited number of studies reported imply the lack of interest of researchers in these injuries. We reviewed three cases of spinal cord injury sustained on inversion tables in different environments and report the potential danger associated with the use of inversion tables to facilitate a safer exercise environment.

Latest Research Trends in Fall Detection and Prevention Using Machine Learning: A Systematic Review

“…In addition to old age, several other factors such as environment, physical activity, and cardiovascular disorders cause falls. It is a major source of physical injuries, and often, these injuries require hospitalization [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Annually, 37.3 million falls need medical attention, and 0.65 million falls resulting in deaths [ 13 ].…”