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Straight from the horse's mouth: neurological injury in equestrian sports
- Source :
- Neurological Research
- Publication Year :
- 2014
- Publisher :
- Informa UK Limited, 2014.
-
Abstract
- Objectives Equestrian sports can result in a variety of injuries to the nervous system due to many factors. We describe our series of 80 patients with injuries sustained during participation in equestrian sports. Methods and Results All patients seen at the regional trauma center with injuries associated with equestrian sports between 2003 and 2011 were reviewed; 80 patients were identified. Fifty-four per cent were female and the average age was 37 years (2·2–79·3). The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 9·9 ± 0·7. Only two patients had documented helmet use. Glasgow coma score (GCS) was 15 in 93% of patients. The most common neurosurgical injuries were to the cranial vault (28%), including concussions, intracranial hematomas and hemorrhages, and skull, facial, and spine fractures (10%), with the majority (63%) being transverse process fractures. The mechanisms of injury varied: 55% were kicked or stepped on, 28% were thrown or fell off, and 21% were injured by the horse falling on them. The causes ranged from carelessness and lack of attention to animal factors including inadequate training of horses and animal fear. Fourteen per cent required surgery. There were no mortalities and average length of stay was 3·7 ± 0·35 days. All patients were discharged home with 95% requiring no services. Discussion Equestrian sports convey special risks for its participants. With proper protection and precautions, a decrease in the incidence of central nervous system injuries may be achieved. Neurosurgeons can play key roles in advocating for neurologic safety in equestrian sports.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Neurological injury
Adolescent
Concussion
Spine trauma
Young Adult
Injury Severity Score
Animals
Humans
Medicine
Glasgow Coma Scale
Horses
Child
Aged
Retrospective Studies
business.industry
food and beverages
General Medicine
Length of Stay
Middle Aged
Closed head injury
medicine.disease
Equestrian sports
Neurology
Child, Preschool
Athletic Injuries
Physical therapy
Original Article
Female
Neurology (clinical)
Neurosurgical trauma
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 17431328 and 01616412
- Volume :
- 36
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Neurological Research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....88e3e7bef9e80fced2ee1cf07946db9d