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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Athl Train / Unusual mechanism of injury resulting in a thoracic chance f...
Journal of athletic training2014; 49(2); 274-279; doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-48.6.06

Unusual mechanism of injury resulting in a thoracic chance fracture in a rodeo athlete: a case report.

Abstract: To introduce the characteristics of a Chance fracture and increase awareness of the mechanism of injury that may occur during athletic activity. Background: A T12 Chance fracture was diagnosed in an 18-year-old male rodeo athlete. The rider was forced into extreme lumbothoracic hyperflexion when the horse bucked within the chute, pinning the rider's legs to his chest. Methods: Burst fracture, abdominal organ rupture, spinal dislocation, spinal cord injury, disk herniation, pars interarticularis fracture, spinal nerve injury, paralysis. Methods: The patient underwent an open reduction and fixation of the thoracic fracture. Posterior stabilization was obtained with nonsegmental instrumentation. Allograft and autografts were used for posterolateral arthrodesis at T11-T12 and T12-L1. Results: Motor vehicle crashes with occupants wearing lap-type-only restraints account for nearly all previously reported Chance fractures. When only lap seatbelts are worn, the pelvis is stabilized, and the torso continues moving forward with impact. The stabilized body segment for this individual was reversed. Nearly 3 years after the initial surgery, fixation, and infection, the bareback rider has returned to full participation in rodeo. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first reported diagnosis of a T12 Chance fracture in a rodeo athlete. When animals buck, athletes can be forced into hyperflexion, exposing them to Chance fractures. Therefore, anyone treating rodeo athletes must suspect possible spinal fracture when this mechanism is present and must treat all athletes with early conservative management and hospital referral.
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Publication Date: 2014-02-12 PubMed ID: 24520836PubMed Central: PMC3975782DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-48.6.06Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article presents a case study of an unusual Chance fracture occurrence in an 18-year-old male rodeo athlete, and advocates for increased awareness and precautionary measures during athletic activities which might predispose individuals to such injuries.

Introduction and Background

  • The key focus of this research is on a particular type of spinal fracture known as a Chance fracture, diagnosed in a young rodeo athlete.
  • The athlete experienced an extreme lumbothoracic hyperflexion during a rodeo event when the horse he was riding bucked within the gate, causing his legs to be pinned to his chest.
  • Typically, Chance fractures are most commonly associated with motor vehicle crashes where the occupants are wearing lap-type-only restraints. The restrained pelvis results in the torso continuing to move forward upon impact, leading to the fracture. In this case, however, the stabilized body segment was reversed due to the rodeo accident.

Methods of Treatment

  • The patient’s treatment included open reduction and fixation of the thoracic fracture to mend the damage sustained.
  • Nonsegmental instrumentation was employed to achieve posterior stabilization.
  • Further, allograft and autograft techniques were utilized to accomplish posterolateral arthrodesis at T11-T12 and T12-L1 spinal levels.

Results

  • The young athlete was able to return to full participation in rodeo activities almost three years after the initial surgery, fixation procedure, and subsequent recovery from infection.

Conclusion

  • The paper concludes by emphasizing that this is the first reported instance of a T12 Chance fracture in a rodeo athlete.
  • It points out the risk factor associated with rodeo activities, especially when animals buck, forcing athletes into hyperflexion positions and exposing them to Chance fractures.
  • The study strongly suggests vigilant monitoring of rodeo athletes, and recommends early conservative management and hospital referral in any suspected cases of spinal fractures based on the nature of the physical movements involved in the sport.

Cite This Article

APA
Boham M, O'Connell K. (2014). Unusual mechanism of injury resulting in a thoracic chance fracture in a rodeo athlete: a case report. J Athl Train, 49(2), 274-279. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-48.6.06

Publication

Journal of athletic training
ISSN: 1938-162X
NlmUniqueID: 9301647
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 2
Pages: 274-279

Researcher Affiliations

Boham, Mikaela
  • Human Performance, Dance, and Recreation Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces.
O'Connell, Kim

    MeSH Terms

    • Adolescent
    • Animals
    • Athletic Injuries / diagnostic imaging
    • Athletic Injuries / etiology
    • Athletic Injuries / surgery
    • Bone Screws
    • Diagnosis, Differential
    • Fracture Fixation, Internal
    • Horses
    • Humans
    • Internal Fixators
    • Male
    • Radiography
    • Spinal Fractures / diagnostic imaging
    • Spinal Fractures / etiology
    • Spinal Fractures / surgery
    • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
    • Thoracic Vertebrae / injuries
    • Thoracic Vertebrae / surgery

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 3 times.
    1. Bourghli A, Obeid I, Boissiere L, Vital JM, Tabboush Z, Al Sarawan M. Management of a high thoracic chance fracture. Eur Spine J 2018 Jul;27(7):1547-1552.
      doi: 10.1007/s00586-017-5247-8pubmed: 28795268google scholar: lookup
    2. Shin YS, Yang SM, Kim MY, Lee LK, Park BS, Lee WD, Noh JW, Kim JH, Lee JU, Kwak TY, Lee TH, Park J, Kim J. Differences in respirogram phase between taekwondo poomsae athletes and nonathletes. J Phys Ther Sci 2016 Sep;28(9):2495-2500.
      doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.2495pubmed: 27799678google scholar: lookup
    3. Kimura R, Ono Y, Miyakoshi N. Early Return to Play Following Conservative Treatment of a Lumbar Flexion-Distraction Injury in a Professional Soccer Player: A Case Report. Cureus 2025 May;17(5):e84366.
      doi: 10.7759/cureus.84366pubmed: 40535382google scholar: lookup
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