Patterns of maxillofacial injuries related to interaction with horses.
Abstract: Studies of trauma patients have described patterns of injuries sustained from unfortunate encounters with large animals. However, the patterns of maxillofacial injuries have yet to be reported. The goal of this investigation was to describe and report on maxillofacial injuries that are associated with interaction with horses. Methods: Charts were selected from the trauma registry by E-code at a level 1 trauma center in Portland, OR. A retrospective review was performed on charts collected from the previous 5 years (1998-2002). Data were collected according to patient, pattern of injuries, and mechanism of injury. Results: The 62 patients who were identified consisted of 15 males (24%) and 47 females (76%) and ranged in age from 1 to 83 years (average age, 32 years; most frequent age, 12 years). Most of the accidents occurred in the spring months and involved a horse known to the patient. The most common mechanism was falling from the horse. However, being kicked was correlated with a more serious injury (P =.048). The most frequent injury was abrasion/contusion (24 [39%]), second were lacerations (20 [32%]), and third were fractures (18 [29%]). Fifty (81%) were not wearing helmets. Forty-six (74%) of the patients had other associated injuries. Conclusions: In patients with facial injuries related to horses, younger females were the most frequently involved. Facial injuries were often associated with other types of injuries. Nearly a third of the facial injuries sustained were fractures. The percentage of riders without a helmet was high. However, in our patient population, wearing a helmet does not seem to add any protection to the face, and almost all of the accidents involved a horse known to the patient. More education aimed at horse owners regarding the use of helmets, proper handling and riding skills, and supervising young riders is encouraged to prevent further injuries.
Publication Date: 2004-06-01 PubMed ID: 15170280DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2003.12.010Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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 research study investigates the patterns of maxillofacial injuries that are associated with interaction with horses. It mainly focuses on the types of injuries individuals sustain, the mechanism of injury, and the effectiveness of wearing helmets.
Research Methodology
- The study was conducted by selecting charts from the trauma registry at a level 1 trauma center in Portland, Oregon.
- The charts selected were retrospective, collected from the previous 5 years, from 1998 to 2002.
- Data were collected considering patient demographics, patterns of injuries, and the mechanism of how the injury occurred.
Research Findings
- The study identified a total of 62 patients which consisted of 15 males (24%) and 47 females (76%) ranging in age from 1 to 83 years.
- Mostly, the accidents occurred during the spring months and involved a horse that was familiar to the patient.
- The most common mechanism of injury was falling off a horse, whereas being kicked by a horse correlated with more severe injuries.
- Abrasions/contusions were the most common injuries (39%), followed by lacerations (32%), and fractures (29%).
- 50 patients (81%) were not wearing helmets during the interaction with the horse.
- It was notable that 46 patients (74%) had other injuries associated with the maxillofacial injuries.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The study concluded that younger females were more frequently involved in incidents resulting to facial injuries related to horses.
- Facial injuries were often associated with other types of injuries, with nearly a third of facial injuries being fractures.
- A high percentage of riders did not wear a helmet, but wearing a helmet did not appear to offer facial protection based on the data from the study’s patient pool.
- Nearly all accidents involved a horse known to the patient implying familiarity does not minimize risk of injury.
- The researchers recommend more education aimed at horse owners regarding the use of helmets, handling and riding skills, and supervision of young riders to prevent further injuries.
Cite This Article
APA
Ueeck BA, Dierks EJ, Homer LD, Potter B.
(2004).
Patterns of maxillofacial injuries related to interaction with horses.
J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 62(6), 693-696.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2003.12.010 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University and Legacy Emanuel Hospital, Portland 97201, USA. ueeckb@ohsu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Accidents / statistics & numerical data
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Incidence
- Infant
- Male
- Maxillofacial Injuries / epidemiology
- Maxillofacial Injuries / prevention & control
- Middle Aged
- Oregon / epidemiology
- Registries
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
