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Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research2023; 18(1); 83; doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03549-3

Horse-related injury patterns: a single center report.

Abstract: For ages, humankind and horses have been closely related to occupational and recreational activities. The dangers of engaging with horses have been previously reported. Among sporting activities, horse riding is well-known for its risks. Despite multiple recommendations to wear protective gear, horse-related activities still comprise the risk of severe injuries. This study aimed to examine: (1) if specific mechanisms are correlated to particular injury patterns and (2) if injury types are related to patient demographics. Methods: From one level I trauma center, between July 2019 and July 2022 (3 years) all emergency reports and discharge letters were retrospectively reviewed by full-text search regarding horse-related injuries. Patient demographics, body mass index, trauma mechanism, injury types, and initiated treatment were extracted from medical records and analyzed. Results: During the study period, 95 patients with 99 horse-related injuries were included. The overwhelming majority of the patients was female (93.7%). Age averaged 35.3 years (range 6 to 71). BMI was 23.6 kg/m2. Inpatient treatment was required in 60.6%. Length of hospital stay averaged 10 days. Surgical treatment was performed in 55 patients (55.6%). Open reduction and internal fixation was the most common procedure (74.5%). Trauma mechanism was fall from a horse followed by being hit by a horse (60.6% and 23.2%, respectively). Injured upper extremities counted up for 52.5% followed by spinal and pelvic injuries (23.2%). Spinal and pelvic injuries were related to fall from a horse (p < 0.001). Injuries to the lower extremities were predominantly caused by a kick of the horse when the rider was unmounted (p = 0.001) and negatively related to a fall from a horse (p = 0.002). Ten patients got their fingers tangled while holding the reins and suffered from injuries to the upper extremity (p < 0.001). Three of them required an amputation (30%). Conclusions: Despite the fact that patients are young and healthy, horse related injuries must not be underestimated. In our study, almost two-thirds of the patients required inpatient treatment and 50% underwent surgery. We could show that patient age was related to injury severity according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). Spinal and pelvic injuries were significantly related to a fall from a horse with a significantly greater trauma impact according to the AIS. Therefore, these severe entities need to be ruled out in such events. Accidents caused by holding the reins, may result in serious injuries to the hand with 30% requiring an amputation. Doctors need to be aware of possible horse-related injury patterns to reduce morbidity.
© 2023. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2023-02-02 PubMed ID: 36732813PubMed Central: PMC9893574DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-03549-3Google 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.

This study explores the pattern of injuries in relation to horse-related activities. The research shows that these injuries should not be taken lightly, as they often require hospitalization and surgery, and finds a correlation between the type and severity of injuries and patient demographics.

Study Purpose and Methodology

  • The purpose of this study was twofold: to understand if specific injury patterns are linked to certain types of interactions with horses, and if injury types are associated with different patient demographics.
  • The study was carried out at a level I trauma center over a three-year period. During this period, the research team went through emergency reports and discharge letters to identify horse-related injuries.
  • The team also recorded patient characteristics such as age and body mass index, the nature of the trauma, the types of injuries sustained, and the treatment initiated.

Key Findings

  • The sample included 95 patients, the vast majority of whom were females, who sustained a total of 99 injuries from horse-related activities.
  • Nearly two-thirds of the patients required inpatient treatment, averaging a hospital stay of ten days, and over half underwent surgical procedures.
  • The most prevalent injury was to the upper extremities, followed by spinal and pelvic injuries.
  • The most common cause of injuries was a fall from the horse, followed by being hit by the horse.
  • Specifically, spinal and pelvic injuries were largely associated with falling off the horse, while lower extremity injuries were most often caused by being kicked by a horse when the patient was not mounted.

Correlations and Recommendations

  • A significant finding from the study is that the patient’s age was directly proportionate to the severity of the injury, as defined by the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS).
  • Further, injuries that were caused while holding the reins could be serious, particularly to the hands, with a third of such injuries requiring an amputation.
  • The study concludes that healthcare practitioners should be aware of the different injury patterns associated with horse-related activities in order to provide appropriate medical response, thus reducing morbidity.

Cite This Article

APA
Hoffmann MF, Bernstorff M, Kreitz N, Roetman B, Schildhauer TA, Wenning KE. (2023). Horse-related injury patterns: a single center report. J Orthop Surg Res, 18(1), 83. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-03549-3

Publication

Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research
ISSN: 1749-799X
NlmUniqueID: 101265112
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Pages: 83

Researcher Affiliations

Hoffmann, M F
  • Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum, Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany. Martin.Hoffmann-d7n@rub.de.
Bernstorff, M
  • Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum, Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
Kreitz, N
  • Schön Klinik Eilbek, Denhaide 120, 22081, Hamburg, Germany.
Roetman, B
  • Mathias Spital Rheine, Frankenburgstraße 31, 48431, Rheine, Germany.
Schildhauer, T A
  • Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum, Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
Wenning, K E
  • Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum, Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries / surgery
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy
  • Horses
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sports
  • Male
  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Young Adult
  • Adult
  • Middle Aged
  • Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Injury Severity Score

Conflict of Interest Statement

Each author certifies that he or she, or a member of their immediate family, has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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