Clay-shoveler’s fracture

Clay-shoveler’s fracture
An uncommon breakage of the spine of the vertebrae from the lower neck or upper back as a result of stress. Clay-shoveler’s fracture usually occurs in laborers who perform activities involving lifting weights rapidly with the arms extended. Examples of these activities include shoveling soil, rubble or snow up and over the head backwards, using a pickax or scythe, and pulling out roots. The shear force of the muscles (trapezius and rhomboid muscles) pulling on the spine at the base of the neck actually tears off the bone of the spine. Symptoms of clay-shoveler’s fracture include burning, "knife- like" pain at the level of the fractured spine between the upper shoulder blades. The pain can sharply increase with repeated activity that strains the muscles of the upper back. The broken spine and nearby muscles are exquisitely tender. Clay-shoveler’s fracture is diagnosed by x-ray examination of the spine. While the intense pain gradually subsides in days to weeks, the area can intermittently develop burning pain with certain activities that involve prolonged extending of the arms (like computer work). Most patients require no treatment. Pain medications, physical therapy, and massage can be of help. Occasionally, surgical removal of the tip of the broken spine is performed for those with longstanding pain.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Clay-shoveler fracture — Classification and external resources 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… …   Wikipedia

  • Fracture, clay-shoveler’s — An uncommon breakage of the spine of the vertebrae from the lower neck or upper back as a result of stress. Clay shoveler’s fracture usually occurs in laborers who perform activities involving lifting weights rapidly with the arms extended.… …   Medical dictionary

  • fracture — 1. To break. 2. A break, especially the breaking of a bone or cartilage. [L. fractura, a break] apophysial f. separation of apophysis from bone. articular f. a f. involving the joint …   Medical dictionary

  • Bone fracture — Classification and external resources Internal and external views of an arm with a compound fracture, both before and after surgery. ICD 10 …   Wikipedia

  • Colles' fracture — Classification and external resources An X ray image of a fractured radius showing the characteristic Colles fracture with displacement and angulation of the distal end of the radius. ICD 10 S …   Wikipedia

  • Distal radius fracture — Classification and external resources Colles fracture on X ray. ICD 10 S52.5 …   Wikipedia

  • Skull fracture — Classification and external resources A piece of a skull with a depressed skull fracture ICD 10 S02 ICD …   Wikipedia

  • Cervical fracture — Classification and external resources A fracture of the base of the dens ( a part of C2 ) as seen on CT. ICD 10 S …   Wikipedia

  • Clavicle fracture — Classification and external resources X ray of a left clavicle fracture ICD 10 S …   Wikipedia

  • Avulsion fracture — Schematic diagram of an avulsion fracture Avulsion fracture off …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”