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Long-term outcome of equestrian injuries in children
R Dekker1, C K Van Der Sluis, J Kootstra
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands. R.Dekker@rev.azg.nl
Insights
Paediatric equestrian injuries can lead to significant long-term disabilities, impacting children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Sports medicine
- Traumatology
Background:
- Equestrian activities pose risks for pediatric injuries.
- Understanding long-term consequences is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of long-term disabilities following pediatric equestrian injuries.
- To identify risk factors associated with poor outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A five-year retrospective study of pediatric patients (≤17 years) treated for equestrian injuries.
- Questionnaires administered to patients, with healthy friends and a reference population serving as controls.
Main Results:
- 41% of 100 respondents experienced long-term disabilities four years post-injury.
- Poorer scores on the Child Health Questionnaire compared to the reference population, particularly in physical functioning.
- Risk factors included advanced rider status, non-fracture extremity injuries, and subsequent injuries.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric equestrian injuries, even if moderate, can result in substantial long-term disabilities.
- Early identification and intervention for at-risk children are essential.
Purpose:
To investigate the possible development of long-term disabilities arising from paediatric equestrian injuries.
Method:
All patients, aged 17 years or younger, treated in a hospital setting because of an equestrian injury during a five-year period received a questionnaire. A reference population and healthy friends served as controls.
Results:
Four years post-injury, 41 of the 100 respondents still experienced disabilities following the injury. The median Injury Severity Score was 4. Absenteeism from school lasted 2 weeks, and from horse riding, 4 months. Compared to the reference population, the results of the Child Health Questionnaire were poorer considering most of its subscales. In comparison with the friends, the patients only scored lower on 'physical functioning'. The risk factors concerning poor long-term outcomes were being an advanced rider, sustaining injuries other than fractures of the extremities or sustaining subsequent injuries following the riding accident.
Conclusions:
Although equestrian injuries in children are minor to moderate in their severity, these injuries are significant considering that a large proportion of patients experience long-term disabilities.
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