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Emergency medicine journal : EMJ2002; 19(5); 412-414; doi: 10.1136/emj.19.5.412

A changing pattern of injuries to horse riders.

Abstract: To describe the demographics and nature of injuries occurring on or around horses, to examine the nature of protective clothing in relation to these injuries, and to compare our data with previously published work in this area. Methods: Patients were identified using the term "sports injury-horse riding" from the departmental database for one calendar year from February 2000. Data were collected regarding demographics, injuries, protective clothing, and outcome. The data were then analysed and compared with the previously published literature. Results: 260 patients' records were analysed. The patients were mostly young (median age 26) and female (84.6%). The majority of patients had a single injury (88.8%). Seventeen per cent had an isolated head injury, all of which proved to be minor. Multiple injuries including the head accounted for 8.5% of all injuries. These again proved minor, bar one fatality where the helmet came off before impact. Upper limb injuries accounted for 29.2% of all injuries of which 61.8% sustained a fracture of which 36.2% were to the wrist. When compared with previous work the incidence and severity of head injury continues to decline while the relative number and severity of upper limb injuries increases. Conclusions: The majority of head injured riders are wearing approved helmets and sustaining only minor injury. There is currently no protective gear recommended for the upper limb and more specifically the wrist. This paper identifies the potential need for research and development of such protection.
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Publication Date: 2002-09-03 PubMed ID: 12204987PubMed Central: PMC1725957DOI: 10.1136/emj.19.5.412Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study discusses the injury patterns in horse-riding, by analyzing data from the year 2000. It identifies that young, female riders are most likely to sustain a single injury, with a notable amount of these injuries being minor head injuries or multiple injuries including the head. Upper limb injuries, particularly fractures, were also common. A shift is observed in the incidence and severity of injuries, with a decline in head injuries and an increase in upper limb injuries.

Study Methodology and Sample

  • The researchers used the departmental database to identify patients with horse-riding-related injuries, using the term “sports injury-horse riding”.
  • A total of 260 patients’ records from February 2000 to February 2001 were analyzed.
  • Information on demographics, injuries, protective clothing, and outcome of patients were collected and analyzed.

Findings

  • The median age of the patients was 26 and the majority were female (84.6%).
  • 88.8% of the patients had a single injury while 17% had an isolated head injury.
  • All head injuries were minor, with the exception of one fatal injury where a helmet came off before impact.
  • Upper limb injuries made up 29.2% of all injuries, with 61.8% resulting in a fracture, and 36.2% of these affected the wrist specifically.

Comparison with Previous Studies

  • The data support a trend observed in previous research of declining incidence and severity of head injuries.
  • Conversely, the number and severity of upper limb injuries, specifically wrist injuries, appeared to be increasing.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The researchers found that those horse riders who sustained head injuries were typically wearing approved helmets and only suffered minor injuries.
  • However, despite the protective gear for the head, there is currently no protective gear recommended or available for the upper limb and specifically the wrist.
  • Considering the high incidence of wrist fractures, the paper calls for research and development of protective gear for the upper body, particularly the wrist area.

Cite This Article

APA
Moss PS, Wan A, Whitlock MR. (2002). A changing pattern of injuries to horse riders. Emerg Med J, 19(5), 412-414. https://doi.org/10.1136/emj.19.5.412

Publication

Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
ISSN: 1472-0205
NlmUniqueID: 100963089
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 5
Pages: 412-414

Researcher Affiliations

Moss, P S
  • Accident and Emergency Department, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK. philmoss1@btopenworld.com
Wan, A
    Whitlock, M R

      MeSH Terms

      • Adolescent
      • Adult
      • Animals
      • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
      • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
      • Child
      • Craniocerebral Trauma / epidemiology
      • Craniocerebral Trauma / prevention & control
      • England / epidemiology
      • Female
      • Head Protective Devices
      • Horses
      • Humans
      • Incidence
      • Male

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