@article{ref1,
title="Neurosurgical injuries associated with recreational horseback riding: a 6-year retrospective analysis",
journal="World neurosurgery",
year="2024",
author="De Jesus, Orlando and Vigo-Prieto, Juan",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Horseback riding can cause severe brain and spinal injuries. This study aimed to identify the spectrum of neurosurgical injuries related to recreational horseback riding. <br><br>METHODS: A retrospective study was performed utilizing the University of Puerto Rico neurosurgery database to identify patients who were consulted to the neurosurgery service between 2018 and 2023 after a horse fall during recreational activities. The outcome upon discharge using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) was documented. Descriptive statistics were used to report frequency and median values. <br><br>RESULTS: The neurosurgery service evaluated and managed 112 patients with a horseback riding fall-related injury during six years. Ninety-eight (87.5%) patients were male. The patients' median age was 31.5 (IQR 22-40). There were 89 head injuries (79.5%), 19 spinal injuries(17%), and four combined head/spine injuries (3.5%). Forty percent of the patients were admitted to inpatient care with a median length of stay of seven days (IQR 3-17). Twenty-four patients (21%) required surgery. Upon discharge, 86.6% of the patients had a mRS grade of 0-2, 3.6 % had a grade of 3, 1.8% had a grade of 4, and 1.8% had a grade of 5. Seven patients (6%) died (mRS grade 6). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Most neurological injuries involve isolated trauma to the head. Fifteen percent of the riders' falls were caused after the horse was impacted by a motor vehicle. Forty percent of the patients require admission and 21% undergo surgery. Ten percent of the patients had a poor mRS grade of 4-6 when discharged.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1878-8750",
doi="10.1016/j.wneu.2024.05.083",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2024.05.083"
}