Clay Shoveler’s Fracture
Hema N. Choudur, Anthony G. Ryan, and Peter L. Munk
Clinical Presentation
A 28-year-old man presented with acute pain and tenderness in the posteroinferior neck following an episode of shoveling snow. No focal swelling was noted on clinical examination, but there was slight restriction in neck movements.
Figure 107A
Figure 107B
Radiologic Findings
Lateral views of the cervical spine (Figs. 107A, 107B) show an oblique fracture through the C7 spinous process.
Diagnosis
Clay shoveler’s fracture.
Differential Diagnosis
None.
Discussion
Background
This stable cervical injury is incidentally seen on many cervical spine radiographs and occurs in the lower cervical spinous processes, usually C7.
Etiology
Hyperflexion of the cervical spine causes C3–T3 spinous process fractures. The term clay-shoveler’s fracture
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