Equestrian-related maxillofacial injuries-a five-year retrospective review.
Abstract: Equestrian-related activities inherently involve the risk of serious injury. There are few reports of maxillofacial injury patterns and management arising from equestrian activities in the literature. Objective: To investigate maxillofacial fracture presentations at a tertiary trauma centre to identify injury profiles of patients who have sustained equine-based injuries over 5 years. Methods: This work involved a retrospective review of all trauma presentations to our unit over 5 years. The data collected included patient demographics, injury mechanisms and patterns, and management of fractures. Results: The study identified 73 patients with facial fractures resulting from activity with horses between 2020 and 2025. A total of facial fractures were recorded. The mean age was 39.5 (11-86) years. There were 40 (55%) males and 33 (45%) females. Mounted riders accounted for 41% of cases, with 59% being unmounted. The incidence of head injury was 5%. A further 5% had an associated spinal injury. The most common specific mechanism of maxillofacial injury was a direct kick, in 55% of cases. The most commonly affected facial region was the middle third (81%), with zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures most commonly recorded (39%). There was a statistically significant increase in the risk of head injury associated with frontal bone fracture in this group. Conclusions: Activities involving horses pose a high risk of maxillofacial injury. Education should be promoted to increase the usage of helmets with a particular design to protect the facial skeleton, whether mounted or unmounted.
© 2025. The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2025-07-12 PubMed ID: 40650793PubMed Central: 1756322DOI: 10.1007/s11845-025-03995-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article is a review of five years of maxillofacial injuries related to horse-related activities, identifying the common types of injuries, their causes, and the effectiveness of current management practices.
Introduction & Objective
The study aims to understand the patterns and mechanisms of maxillofacial fractures as a result of equestrian activities. This type of injury occurs in the facial region, particularly affecting the bones of the upper jaw, cheek, and lower orbit (eye socket). Due to the inherent high risk of serious injuries in equestrian-related activities, this study seeks to analyze trauma presentations in a tertiary trauma centre over five years.
Methods
- The researchers conducted a retrospective review, meaning they gathered and analyzed data from past records rather than conducting new tests or experiments.
- The data was collected from all trauma presentations at their unit within a five year period, from 2020 to 2025.
- Key information gathered from these presentations included patient demographics, the mechanisms and patterns of injuries, and how these fractures were managed.
Results
The study found several key findings about equestrian-related maxillofacial fractures:
- 73 patients suffered facial fractures as a result of activities with horses.
- Patients ranged from 11 to 86 years old, with an average age of 39.5.
- More than half of the patients were male, while the remainder were female.
- Interestingly, a majority of injuries occurred while the patients were not riding the horses (59%), while the remaining 41% occurred while riding.
- The most common cause of these maxillofacial injuries was a direct kick from a horse, accounting for 55% of cases.
- The middle third of the face was the most commonly affected region (81% of the cases), with fractures to the zygomaticomaxillary complex (the bones forming the prominence of the cheeks and part of the eye socket) being most common (39% of cases).
- 5% of the patients also suffered head injuries, and another 5% had associated spinal injuries.
- A notable trend was identified: a significant increase in risk of head injury if the frontal bone fracture occurs.
Conclusion & Recommendations
The study underscored the high risk of maxillofacial injury posed by activities involving horses. In response, the researchers call for education to promote the use of protective helmets specifically designed to protect the facial skeleton, whether the individuals are mounted or unmounted. Proper educational initiatives can significantly reduce the occurrence and severity of such injuries.
Cite This Article
APA
Maloney B, Jung MS, Kearns G, Bowe C.
(2025).
Equestrian-related maxillofacial injuries-a five-year retrospective review.
Ir J Med Sci.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03995-4 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- National Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. maloneb3@tcd.ie.
- National Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
- National Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
- National Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests.
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