Dear Colleagues,

India was late to check up the rapid advances in spinal injuries management in the other countries. Developed countries have shown that these spinal injured patients when properly managed can lead a near normal life style. In the past many of the people suffering from such injuries succumbed to the complications associated with it.

There is lack of knowledge about spinal injury management even amongst trained doctors and paramedical personnel. Hence, most of these patients do not get access to proper management and the incidence of complications amongst them is high.

Way back in 1971 I was instrumental in the setting up of the Paraplegic Centre at Kirkee, Pune. The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre started its services partially in 1991 and comprehensively in 1997. Till recently there were few centers working in this field, and even they did not provide comprehensive services.

The 21st Century holds a lot of promise for India in the field of Spinal Injury Management. We have a lot to catch up on, and that requires active measures. The establishment of a society would provide a forum for medical personnel dealing with SCI to come out with and share their experiences and discuss the new techniques for spinal injury management. The spinal cord society will help in the dissemination of the expertise achieved by a few to the others, for the benefit of people with spinal injury.

The launch of the Spinal Cord Society is a step rightly taken towards alleviating the suffering people with spinal injuries. However, it is initial step and much will depend on how the members of the Society move forward towards the achievement of its aim.

With regards,