Clay-shoveler fracture

Clay-shoveler fracture
C7 spinous process.
Specialty	Neurosurgery

Clay-shoveler's fracture is a stable fracture through the spinous process of a vertebra occurring at any of the lower cervical or upper thoracic vertebrae, classically at C6 or C7. ^[1] In Australia in the 1930s, men digging deep ditches tossed clay 10 to 15 feet above their heads using long handled shovels. ^[2] Instead of separating, the sticky clay would sometimes stick to the shovel. At the top of the arc of motion, with the arms extended, the worker may hear a pop and feel a sudden pain between the shoulder blades, unable to continue working. ^{[3] [4]}

References

1. Brant, W.E.; Helms, C.A. (2007). Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology. Solution : radiology. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. p. 1110. ISBN   978-0-7817-6135-2 . Retrieved 2024-08-10.
2. McKellar Hall RD (1940). "Clay-Shoveler's Fracture". J Bone Joint Surg Am. 22: 36–75.
3. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, William C. "What Is a Clay-Shoveler's Fracture?". MedicineNet. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
4. Posthuma de Boer, Jantine; van Wulfften Palthe, Alexander F. Y.; Stadhouder, Agnita; Bloemers, Frank W. (September 2016). "The Clay Shoveler's Fracture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature". The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 51 (3): 292–297. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.03.020. ISSN   0736-4679. PMID   27262733.