Amputations and Avulsion Injuries due to Human/Equine Interaction.
Abstract: IntroductionAmputations and avulsion injuries due to horse-associated activity are rare, yet they can result in significant impairment. The purpose of this study was to further investigate such injuries using a national emergency department database.MethodsThe US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was used to identify horse-associated amputation and avulsion injuries occurring between 2000-2023. Demographic data of age, sex, and injury details were collected.ResultsThere were 34,091 emergency department visits for equine-associated injuries, with 120 (0.35%) due to amputations/avulsions; 53 (44%) patients sustained amputations, and 67 patients (56%) sustained avulsions. The average age was 37 (SD = 21 years). There were 78 female and 42 male patients. The most common mechanism of injury was riding the horse, with further details not specified (31%), followed by equipment issues (19%), bucked/thrown/kicked off the horse (15%), falling off the horse (11%), and others (6%). A rope/chain was involved in 29 patients (24%). There were 55 amputations involving the finger (40), thumb (13), and others (2). Rope-related injuries were more commonly involved in those sustaining amputations versus avulsions (42% vs 10%, < .001). Males had more rope-associated injuries (36% vs 18%, = .043).ConclusionsThis is the largest study to date of amputations and/or avulsions due to horse-associated injuries. There were multiple mechanisms of injury, with ropes involved in one-quarter. This baseline data can be useful for evaluating the effectiveness of future prevention programs.
Publication Date: 2025-08-06 PubMed ID: 40767281DOI: 10.1177/10806032251361904Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research focuses on rare cases of amputations and avulsion injuries caused by human interaction with horses. By examining a US national emergency department database, the study highlights the mechanisms of these infrequent but significant injuries and sets a baseline for evaluating future prevention measures.
Methods and Data Collection
- The researchers used the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) as a resource to identify cases of horse-associated amputation and avulsion injuries. This was done to offer a comprehensive view of these rare injuries over a considerable period, from 2000 to 2023.
- Data such as the age and sex of the patients, along with detailed descriptions of the injuries, were collected to draw patterns and correlations.
Key Findings
- Out of 34,091 emergency department visits for horse-related injuries, only 120 (or 0.35%) involved amputations or avulsions. This data highlights the rarity of these types of injuries.
- The study indicated a nearly balanced prevalence of amputations and avulsions, with 44% (or 53 patients) of cases involving amputations, while 56% (or 67 patients) resulted in avulsions.
- The average age of patients was 37, and females were injured more often than males, with 78 females against 42 males requiring emergency treatment.
- The typical cause of the injury was found to be riding the horse (31% of cases). Other common causes included equipment-related issues (19%), being bucked, thrown, or kicked off the horse (15%), falling off the horse (11%), and other unspecified reasons (6%).
- Injuries involving ropes or chains accounted for 24% of cases. Rope-related injuries were more commonly connected to amputations as opposed to avulsions, and males were more prone to rope-associated injuries than females.
Conclusion and Future Directions
- The study is significant because it offers the most extensive examination to date of amputations and/or avulsions due to horse interactions.
- The myriad causes of these injuries, especially the frequent involvement of ropes and chains, provide a vital touchpoint for creating future injury prevention protocols.
- The data collected and observed from this research will serve as a reliable baseline for evaluating the efficacy of such prevention programs in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
Loder RT, Walker AL, Blakemore LC.
(2025).
Amputations and Avulsion Injuries due to Human/Equine Interaction.
Wilderness Environ Med, 10806032251361904.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10806032251361904 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
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