Maxillofacial fractures sustained by unmounted equestrians.
Abstract: Facial injuries caused by horses are relatively common among riding enthusiasts, but little is known about the nature of maxillofacial fractures sustained by those not mounted. We collected data on patients' characteristics, fractures sites, mechanisms of injury, and treatment of these fractures from the departmental records of the oral and maxillofacial unit at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand between 1996 and 2008. Of 49 patients with equine-related facial fractures, 35 (mean (SD) age 35.8 (16.7) years) had sustained their injuries while unmounted (71%). Most of the fractures occurred in women (66%), of whom 39% were aged between 16 and 30 years. There was an increasing trend in the incidence of these fractures over much of the 13-year period. Most injuries were caused by kicks (69%), followed by head-butts (26%), and trampling (6%). The zygoma was the most common fracture site (63%), followed by the mandible (34%), and orbital floor (31%). Surgical intervention was required in 60% of cases.
Copyright © 2010 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-04-24 PubMed ID: 20417998DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2010.03.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study examines the nature and frequency of maxillofacial injuries (injuries to the face) caused by horses among individuals who were not riding at the time. It found a rising trend in such injuries mainly caused by kicks, with most victims being women aged 16 to 30 years.
Summary of the Research
- This research aimed to understand more about the causes, nature, and treatment of maxillofacial injuries (face and jaw injuries) among people who are around horses but not necessarily mounted on them. The study was conducted in Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand, from 1996 to 2008.
- The data was collected from the oral and maxillofacial unit of the hospital, focusing on patients’ characteristics, how they sustained their fractures, and what treatment was required.
Key Findings
- Of the 49 patients who suffered equine-related facial fractures during the study period, 35 (or 71%) were not mounted on a horse when the injury occurred. The mean age for this group was 35.8 years.
- Most victims of these unmounted equestrian injuries were women (accounting for 66% of cases). The age group most commonly represented was 16 to 30 years, comprising 39% of the injuries.
- There was a notable increase in the occurrence of these injuries over the 13-year period studied. The study did not mention a specific reason for this trend.
- The main cause of these injuries was horse kicks (69% of cases), followed by head-butting from the horse (26%) and trampling (6%).
- Most fractures took place in the zygoma (cheekbone), accounting for 63% of cases. The mandible (jawbone) was the second most common fracture site at 34%, and the orbital floor (the bone at the bottom of the eye socket) was third at 31%.
- Surgical intervention was necessary in 60% of the cases.
Implications of the Research
- The study reveals a significant risk of maxillofacial injuries among those interacting with horses without being mounted, particularly among young women.
- Horse kicks are identified as the leading cause of these injuries, indicating a need for more caution and safety measures around horses, even when not riding them.
- The high percentage of surgical interventions suggests that these injuries are often severe, requiring professional medical treatment and possibly long-term care.
Cite This Article
APA
Antoun JS, Steenberg LJ, Lee KH.
(2010).
Maxillofacial fractures sustained by unmounted equestrians.
Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 49(3), 213-216.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjoms.2010.03.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Sydenham Dental Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand. joe.antoun@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Chi-Square Distribution
- Child
- Female
- Fracture Fixation, Internal
- Horses
- Humans
- Internal Fixators
- Male
- Maxillofacial Injuries / etiology
- Maxillofacial Injuries / surgery
- Middle Aged
- New Zealand
- Retrospective Studies
- Skull Fractures / etiology
- Skull Fractures / surgery
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Sritharan R, Blore CD, Gahir DS. Maxillofacial Horse Trauma: A 10-Year Retrospective Study at a UK Major Trauma Center. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr 2022 Sep;15(3):201-205.
- Stier R, Tavassol F, Dupke C, Rüter M, Jehn P, Gellrich NC, Spalthoff S. Retrospective analysis of 15 years of horse-related maxillofacial fracture data at a major German trauma center. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2022 Aug;48(4):2539-2546.
- Meredith L, Ekman R, Thomson R. Horse-related incidents and factors for predicting injuries to the head. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2018;4(1):e000398.
- Maloney B, Jung MS, Kearns G, Bowe C. Equestrian-related maxillofacial injuries-a five-year retrospective review. Ir J Med Sci 2025 Aug;194(4):1339-1346.
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