Bareback Equestrian Trauma: Pubic Symphysiolysis and Abdominal Arterial Hemorrhage

Pubic symphysiolysis and retroperitoneal arterial vessel rupture after bareback horse riding is a rare traumatic combination. We report a case of a 59-year-old man who experienced severe pubic, abdominal and lower back pain due to a bounce after a asynchronous rhythm of horseback riding without a saddle. The patient was referred to our Emergency Department because of a suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Computer tomography demonstrated diastasis of the pubic symphysis, active bleeding of a branch of the left internal iliac artery and a massive retroperitoneal haematoma. The arterial bleeding was directly coiled in the emergency setting, the stable pubic symphysiolysis was treated conservatively and the haematoma was surgically drained after three days. Bareback horse riding can lead to a pelvic fracture and severe bleeding leading to haemodynamical instability and life threatening situations. Using proper protective equipment including a saddle to prevent equestrian injury should be emphasized.