Clay-shoveler's fracture is a fracture through the spinous process of a vertebra. It is classically seen at C6 or C7 but can occur at any of the lower spinous processes.^[1] It is a stable fracture. It results from shear forces created when a person lifts weight rapidly with the arms extended. Supposedly, workers shoveling sticky clay would toss the shovel full of clay over their shoulders; once in a while the clay would stick to the shovel, causing the ligaments attached to the spinous processes (supraspinous ligaments) to undergo tremendous force, pulling on the spinous process and avulsing it. The condition is diagnosed by X-ray.

[edit] References

1. ^ Brant W, Helms C. Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology. pp. 1110. 

This musculoskeletal system article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e