Recidivism in equestrian trauma.
Abstract: A 3-year chart survey and questionnaire was conducted of equestrian-injured patients at a regional trauma center to determine patterns and consequences of injury and rate of recidivism. Ninety-two patients (95 encounters) were treated; most were young (mean age, 27 +/- 11 years) women (84%) riders sustaining falls (80%). Most injuries were orthopedic (47%); 19 per cent of patients required hospital admission. There was one death. Helmet use was documented in only 34 per cent. Eighty-one per cent of patients responded to a follow-up telephone survey; 36 per cent recounted additional accidents (mean, 1.4 +/- 0.5). Mean time lost from work was 3 weeks, with 19 per cent reporting chronic disability. Mean annual hospital charges for the cohort were $88,925.00. Recidivism is common in equestrian trauma. Hospital charges are significant. Lost time from work is considerable, with one in five patients reporting long-term disability. Given the cost and disability incurred with equestrian trauma, efforts at injury prevention appear warranted.
Publication Date: 1998-03-05 PubMed ID: 9486888
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study investigates the patterns, consequences, and recurrence rates (recidivism) of injuries among horse riders. The analysis reveals that these types of injuries often lead to significant hospital charges and long-term disability, suggesting a need for improved injury prevention methods.
Research Methodology
- The research was conducted over a span of 3 years, surveying and collecting data from equestrian-related traumas at a regional trauma center.
- Ninety-two patients were evaluated, with a total of 95 encounters (instances of treatment).
- The study involves a combination of chart survey and follow-up telephone questionnaire methods.
Demographics and Injury Patterns
- The majority of the injured patients were young women with an average age of 27 years.
- About 80% of injuries were due to falls from the horse, while the rest were from other equestrian-related incidents.
- Orthopedic injuries topped the list, accounting for 47% of the total injuries.
- Nineteen percent of the patients required hospitalization, and there was a single reported death.
- Helmet usage was only documented in approximately 34% of patients, suggesting that safety gear use is not common among equestrians.
Recidivism and Consequences of Equestrian Trauma
- Recidivism, or recurrence of injuries, was high among the patients. About 36% recounted experiencing additional accidents, with an average of 1.4 accidents per person.
- The injured individuals reported an average of three weeks away from work due to their injuries.
- Nineteen percent noted long-term chronic disability as a result of their injuries.
- The mean annual hospital charges for the cohort amounted to $88,925.00, suggesting that the financial burden of equestrian trauma is quite high.
Implications and Recommendations
- Given the frequent recurrence, costliness, and the potential for long-term disability associated with equestrian trauma, it became evident that steps towards injury prevention are urgently needed.
- The lack of widespread helmet usage among the patients suggests a specific area where injury prevention efforts could be enhanced.
- The authors recommend continued and more extensive research on equestrian safety, accident prevention, and the use of protective gear.
Cite This Article
APA
Frankel HL, Haskell R, Digiacomo JC, Rotondo M.
(1998).
Recidivism in equestrian trauma.
Am Surg, 64(2), 151-154.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Traumatology, Brandywine Hospital, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Accidental Falls / economics
- Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / economics
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Cost of Illness
- Female
- Head Protective Devices
- Horses
- Hospital Charges
- Humans
- Male
- Musculoskeletal System / injuries
- Recreation
- Recurrence
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Weber CD, Nguyen AR, Lefering R, Hofman M, Hildebrand F, Pape HC. Blunt injuries related to equestrian sports: results from an international prospective trauma database analysis. Int Orthop 2017 Oct;41(10):2105-2112.
- Schröter C, Schulte-Sutum A, Busch M, Winkelmann M, Macke C, Zeckey C, Krettek C, Mommsen P. [Cervical spine injury in equestrian sports]. Unfallchirurg 2017 Jun;120(6):494-500.
- Kuhl HN, Ritchie D, Taveira-Dick AC, Hoefling KA, Russo SA. Concussion history and knowledge base in competitive equestrian athletes. Sports Health 2014 Mar;6(2):136-8.
- Thomas KE, Annest JL, Gilchrist J, Bixby-Hammett DM. Non-fatal horse related injuries treated in emergency departments in the United States, 2001-2003. Br J Sports Med 2006 Jul;40(7):619-26.
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