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Summary
Mechanical bull riders often sustain orthopedic injuries from falls, especially those with no experience and after consuming alcohol. This pattern of injury is termed Urban Cowboy Syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Mechanical bulls are popular attractions at bars and events.
- Riding mechanical bulls carries inherent risks of injury.
- Previous literature on mechanical bull-related injuries is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the types and severity of injuries sustained from mechanical bull falls.
- To identify common characteristics of patients injured on mechanical bulls.
- To introduce and define a new clinical manifestation: Urban Cowboy Syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series analysis.
- Review of 20 patient cases with mechanical bull-related injuries.
- Categorization of injury mechanisms and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Twenty patients experienced injuries from striking the ground, the bull, or from concussion.
- Injury severity varied from sprains to fractures (thumb, lumbar vertebrae).
- Common factors included lack of experience, alcohol consumption, and orthopedic injury.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical bull riding can lead to a spectrum of orthopedic injuries.
- Novice riders, particularly those who have consumed alcohol, are at higher risk.
- The constellation of factors and injuries is proposed as Urban Cowboy Syndrome.