Citation

Chang LY, Chang SM, Andrews L, Saeedi O. Am. Med. Stud. Res. J. 2018; 5(1): 110-113.

Affiliation

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Medical Student Research Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

30740519

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hippotherapy has recently emerged as a horse-based rehabilitative therapy to improve balance, coordination, and strength in patients with a wide range of medical conditions. Although several studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in restoring balance and gait in patients who have suffered cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), few studies have reported on adverse events associated with the treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes a female post-stroke patient who fell from a horse during a hippotherapy session. She suffered a closed right zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture and ruptured globe injury. The patient's orbital injuries were surgically repaired, yet ultimately left her with no light perception in the affected eye and required enucleation.

CONCLUSION: Ocular and orbital injuries following hippotherapy are potentially blinding yet preventable. As such, practitioners should weigh the risks and benefits of hippotherapy, particularly in patients with unstable gait, and advise that additional safety precautions are taken to avoid these devastating injuries.

Language: en

Keywords

Accidental Falls; Equine-Assisted Therapy; Eye Injuries