This study is to report the demographics, incidence, and patterns of spinal injuries associated with border crossings resulting from a fall from a significant height. A retrospective cohort study was performed at a Level I trauma center from January 2016 to December 2021 to identify all patients who fell from a significant height while traversing the U.S.-Mexico border and were subsequently admitted. A total of 448 patients were identified. Of the 448 patients, 117 (26.2%) had spine injuries and 39 (33.3%) underwent operative fixation. Females had a significantly higher incidence of spine injuries (60% vs. 40%; p?15 (RR?=?3.2; p?15 sustained falls from a higher distance (median 6.1 vs. 5.5?m) and had a longer length of ICU stay (median 3 vs. 0 days). All patients with operative spine injuries had an ISS >15 relative to 50% of patients with non-operative spine injuries (median ISS 20 vs. 15; p?0.001). Patients with spine trauma requiring surgery had a higher incidence of head (RR?=?3.5; p 0.0353) and chest injuries (RR?=?6.0; p?=?0.0238), but a lower incidence of lower extremity injuries (RR?=?0.5; p?
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