A retrospective study of helmet use and head injury in severe equestrian trauma.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to examine helmet use, incidence of injury, and patient outcomes in a rural cohort of equestrian accidents.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

EHR records of patients admitted to a Level II ACS trauma center in the North-west United States were reviewed for helmet use. Injuries were categorized according to International Classification of Diseases-9/10 code.

RESULTS

Of 53 identified cases, helmets only reduced superficial injury (χ2 (1) = 4.837, P = 0.028). Intracranial injury rates were not different between those with and without helmets (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In equine related injury, helmets protect against superficial injury but not intracranial injury in Western riders. More investigation is needed to assess why this is the case and determine ways to decrease intracranial injury.