Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
11:28
A Coupled Experiment-finite Element Modeling Methodology for Assessing High Strain Rate Mechanical Response of Soft Biomaterials
Published on: May 18, 2015
Traumatic injuries associated with horseback riding.
E H Carrillo1, D Varnagy, S M Bragg
1Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA. trauma1ehc@aol.com
Summary
Horseback riding causes serious injuries, with many requiring hospitalization. Alcohol and drug use may worsen injury severity, highlighting the need for safety measures.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Horseback riding is a popular activity with significant injury rates, leading to approximately 50,000 emergency room visits annually in the U.S.
- Increased popularity of recreational horseback riding in South Florida correlates with a rise in associated traumatic injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of patients with horseback riding-associated injuries admitted to a Level I trauma center.
- To identify risk factors and injury patterns associated with horseback riding.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review was conducted on patients admitted to a Level I trauma center between January 2000 and December 2003.
- Data collected included patient demographics, injury mechanisms, and toxicology screening results.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven patients with horseback riding injuries were identified, with an average age of 36 years.
- The majority of injuries (23/27) occurred during pleasure riding, and 24 patients sustained multiple severe injuries.
- Hospitalization averaged 5 days, and 5 patients tested positive for alcohol or recreational drugs upon admission. No fatalities were recorded.
Conclusions:
- Horseback riding injuries are frequently severe and necessitate hospitalization.
- Alcohol and recreational drug use may exacerbate injury severity.
- Emphasis on protective equipment, safe riding practices, and discouraging substance use is crucial for injury prevention.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...
01:20Traumatic Memory
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...
01:26Flail Chest-II
Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
01:24Flail Chest-I
Overview of Flail Chest
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
01:29Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...