Via Research Recognition Day 2024 VCOM-Carolinas

Educational Reports

EQUESTRIAN RELATED INJURIES: A NATIONAL DATABASE STUDY Muir SM., 1,2 Brown A., 1 Rizzieri T. 1 1- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2- Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

Abstract

Results

Conclusions

Background: •Participation in equestrian events carries inherent dangers and risks that should be acknowledged by all participants. Methods: •Retrospective analysis of data from equestrian -related emergency room visits(2018-2022) using NEISS. •Assessed demographics and injuries such as fractures, dislocations, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), orthopedic injuries, spinal injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries. Results: •Predominantly involved females (73.11%) with a median age of 31. •Most affected age group: 10 -19 years (32%), often during sporting events (28%). •Extremity and upper trunk fractures represented 32% and 17% of injuries, respectively. Discussion: •Equestrian -related injuries are most common in individuals aged 10 to 19 years, often related to sporting events like Eventing, Hunting, and Jumping. •Fractures of the upper and lower trunk are the most common orthopedic injuries. •The study highlights the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to reduce equestrian-related injuries in th e identified demographic. •Utilized the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), managed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC: www.cpsc.gov). •NEISS is a statistically validated injury surveillance system covering national emergency department visits associated with consumer products or toxicity. •Data collected from over 100 hospitals with at least six beds and twenty -four hour emergency department services. •An estimated 215,391 (95% CI = 162,947 -267,835) patients visited U.S. emergency departments for the treatment of equestrian-related human injuries from 2018-2022. •Primary objectives include investigating demographics (age, race, gender, ethnicity) and reporting the most frequent types of equestrian-related human injuries. Methods Table 1. Study Demographics. *(#) indicates percent of total demographic. •Analyzed equestrian -related injuries, focusing on fractures, dislocations, spinal injuries, orthopedic injuries (fractures and dislocations),musculoskeletal injuries (sprains and strains), and traumatic brain injuries.

• Younger individuals were more prone to strains or contusions. o Those in the 1st and 2nd decades of life were more likely to experience injuries of the wrist, forearm, and humerus. o This tendency could be attributed to the agility of younger individuals who instinctively use their hands to protect themselves during falls, resulting in the classic FOOSH (fall on outstretched hand) injury pattern. •Older individuals, particularly women, exhibited a higher incidence of trunk injuries, including C-spine, ribs, pelvis, T-spine, and L-spine injuries. o Higher incidence of trunk injuries in older individuals may be linked to conditions like osteoporosis, more prevalent in post-menopausal women over 65. •Effective helmet enforcement is evident, with only ten individuals documented as sustaining concussions without wearing a helmet. o The elevated incidence of concussions in equestrian events underscores the importance of helmet usage, particularly during the second decade. o An earlier study reported a concussion rate of 44%, suggesting that the drop to 7.56% may be attributed to the protective effect of helmets [5 – 9]. •Internal injuries increased with age, emphasizing the importance of safety measures for all age groups. o Only four out of 697 individuals were wearing a safety vest during the injuries, highlighting the need for increased safety awareness. o This underscores the recommendation that all, particularly inexperienced, horseback riders should consider wearing an inflatable safety vest while riding or engaging with horses. o The low usage of safety vests also suggests a potential need for equine businesses to implement and enforce policies requiring riders to consistently wear vests [3, 10].

•Between 2018 and 2022, there were 4,760 reported equestrian -related emergency room visits. Predominantly, these incidents involved females(73.11%) with a median age of 31. •The most affected age group was 10 -19 years (32%), often associated with sporting events (28%). •Extremity fractures accounted for 32%, and upper trunk fractures(thoracic -spine and ribs) represented 17% of the injuries. •Other notable injuries included 1,075 head injuries (23%), 706 internal organ injuries (15%), 380 sprains/strains (8%), and 72 dislocations.

Figure 1 . Injury occurrence across age group.

References

1. National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) | CPSC.gov. Accessed November 22, 2023. https://www.cpsc.gov/Research--Statistics/ NEISS Injury-Data.

Figure 2 . Contusions and sprains more common among younger individuals

Figure 3 . Preventable equestrian related injury.

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2024 Research Recognition Day