Equestrian-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries Presenting to a Chiropractic Practice: A Retrospective Chart Review of 19 Patients

Tina J Wang; Toni Ward; Hang T Nguyen; Eric L Hurwitz

doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2022.07.004

Equestrian-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries Presenting to a Chiropractic Practice: A Retrospective Chart Review of 19 Patients

J Chiropr Med. 2023 Jun;22(2):103-106. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2022.07.004. Epub 2022 Sep 22.

Authors

Tina J Wang¹, Toni Ward², Hang T Nguyen³, Eric L Hurwitz⁴

Affiliations

¹ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California.
² Private practice, Hacienda Heights, California.
³ Clinical Education Department, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, California.
⁴ Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the types of equestrian-related musculoskeletal injuries and their management.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 19 patients who presented with injuries from equestrian activities at a chiropractic practice from December 2000 to December 2020. Deidentified data were extracted from the charts and summarized.

Results: Of the 19 patients, 42.3% presented with acute trauma, 38.5% had overuse injuries, and 19.2% had chronic injuries as a result of previous trauma. We found that 90% of overuse injuries and 18.2% of acute injuries led to chronic conditions that needed ongoing management.

Conclusion: From this sample of patients, there was a high percentage of overuse and chronic injuries for patients who participated in equestrian activities.

Keywords: Athletic Injuries; Horses; Humans; Retrospective Studies.