title: Association of type of sport and performance level with anatomical site of orthopaedic injury diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although anecdotal reports of increased orthopaedic injury risk in equine sports exist, there is little scientific evidence to support this.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test whether horses undertaking a single competitive sport have increased risk of specific injuries compared to those used for general purpose riding (GP); and whether injury type varies with sport category and performance level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 1069 records of horses undergoing orthopaedic evaluation (1998-2003) and meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed. Sport category (GP, showjumping, dressage, eventing, racing), level (nonelite or elite) and diagnosis were recorded. Effects of sport category and level on probability of a specific diagnosis were assessed using chi-squared tests. Logistic regression was used to determine which competitive sports and levels increased risk of injury compared with GP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall there was a significant effect of sport category and level on diagnosis (P<0.0001). There was significant difference between anatomical site injured and sport category (P<0.0001); a high risk of forelimb superficial digital flexor tendon injury in elite eventing (P<0.0001) and elite showjumping (P = 0.02); distal deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) injury in elite showjumping (P = 0.002); and hindlimb suspensory ligament injury in elite (P<0.0001) and nonelite (P = 0.001) dressage. There was a low risk of tarsal injury in elite eventing (P = 0.01) and proximal DDFT injury in dressage (P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Horses competing in different sports are predisposed to specific injuries; particular sports may increase the risk of injury at certain anatomical sites; and the type and site of injury may reflect the type and level of performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings could guide clinicians in the diagnosis of sport related injuries.
authors.affiliation: Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kenfford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tranquille
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D012307:Risk Factors; D013177:Sports