Mechanical bull injuries: the empty saddle syndrome.

We reviewed the cases of 30 patients presenting to the emergency department over a four-month period with a total of 31 injuries suffered while riding a mechanical bull. The majority of injuries were sprains and contusions. The most severe injuries included seven fractures, one dislocation, and one fracture-dislocation. Three patients required hospitalization, including one with a compression fracture of C7. The majority (74%) of injuries involved the upper extremities.