title: [Spine injuries due to horse riding accidents - an analysis of 30 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Horseback riding entails several risk factors that predispose the participant to injury. Especially craniocerebral as well as spinal trauma were common reasons for severe injuries. Hence, it is important to use effective protective gear during riding activities. However, the protective effect of actual safety vests and helmets in case of accident is still unknown. In the present study reasons, mechanisms and patterns of equine-related spine injuries were analyzed. Based on these data the effectiveness of used protective gear during accident was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 equestrians took part in a questionnaire survey. Based on these answered questionnaires reasons, mechanisms and patterns of equine-related injuries as well as used protective gear during accident were evaluated and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  24 patients (80 %) were female and 6 (20 %) were male. The median age at the time of injury was 36 years (range 14 - 72 years). The causalities suffered from 18 fractures (60 %) and 11 discoligamentous injuries (37 %), in one case a bone-bruise-injury (3 %) was found. 7 equestrians (23 %) wore a safety vest at time of injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite wearing a safety vest, the spine can get damaged when accident occurred. It is not possible to create vests for equestrians capable of protecting against all spine injuries in all accidents. If the energy impact is too high, serious injuries can result, even though protective body gear is worn. But the development of improved safety vests is necessary to reduce the number of severe spine injury in the future.
authors: Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg. chessler@uke.uni-hamburg.de
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Hessler
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Namislo
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Kammler
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Lockemann
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Püschel
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Meenen