[Cervical spine injury in equestrian sports]

The cervical spine is considered fragile and vulnerable to injuries in equestrian sport. This retrospective study investigates the injury pattern and severity. Patients of the medical university in Hannover from the years 2006-2011, who had an equestrian accident, were identified. Patients who had been injured in the course of their work were excluded. Results counted with a p-value < 0.05 were considered significant. In 13.1% of patients, there were 71 cervical spine injuries (92.4% female; 7.6% male). The mean age was 27.1 ± 13.2 years. Of these, 86.4% associated the injury to the riding accident. In 56 cases, it concerned falls from the horse. In 13.6% of the cases, the injury was caused while handling the horse. Sprains were most common (70.4%). Fractures of the neck vertebrae were found in 22.5% of the cases. The mean ISS was 7.0 ± 5.8 pts. Polytrauma was identified in 6.1% of patients (ISS ≥ 16 Pkt). The most common accompanying injury presented was an injury to the head (29.2%; p = 0.003). Of the 30 hospitalized patients, 13.3% were admitted to intensive medical care for 2.3 ± 15.4 d. The mortality was 0%. Injuries of the cervical spine are not to be underestimated in their frequency and severity. It is shown that, especially with injuries of the head and thoracic and lumbar spine area, patients are at increased risk of concurrent cervical lesions. The prevention of neck injuries is currently done in the form of riding helmets, airbag jackets, riding behavior and education. Further study of the prevention of neck injuries is required.