• Clinical Pain
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.138-141
• /
• 2020

Clay-shoveler's fractures are rare stress-type avulsion fractures of the spinous processes especially in sports. There have been two case reports that discussed clay-shoveler's fractures in golf. A 36-year-old beginner golfer presented with a pain in the back after practicing golf swing. No fractures were detected using cervical radiography; however, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed T2~T3 spinous process fractures. The patient was treated conservatively and his pain subsided. The mechanism of injury is speculated to that of clay-shoveler's fractures. Therefore, if a golfer suffers persistent pain in the cervicothoracic region, clay-shoveler's fracture is one possibility to consider.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.163-166
• /
• 2023

A 30-year-old male novice golfer was diagnosed with a clay-shoveler's fracture. During golf practice, he experienced persistent posterior neck and upper back pain for a month. Cervical radiographs and computed tomography revealed a series of sequential spinous process fractures from C7 to T3. The patient was prescribed analgesic medication and fitted with a cervical brace alongside extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) directed explicitly toward the upper back region, subsequently leading to a notable reduction in pain. Therefore, ESWT could be considered an additional method for pain management in patients with clay-shoveler's fractures.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.96-98
• /
• 2012

Fractures of isolated spinous processes of cervical and thoracic vertebrae are called as Clay shoveler's fracture. Such fractures related to sports activities are quite rare. In this report, a case of 27-year-old male with isolated spinous process fracture of C7 during golf swing is reported. The patient was prescribed on muscle relaxant and analgesic therapy. Cervical immobilization was maintained for four weeks with a cervical collar. The patient gradually recovered and was asymptomatic. He started playing golf twice a week after 5 months from the onset of pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.570-573
• /
• 2012

Avulsion of spinous process, also called Clay-shoveler's fracture, is most prevalent among those engaged in hard physical labor. To the best of the author's knowledge, only one case of multiple spinous process fractures of the upper thoracic spine in a novice golfer has been reported. A 45-year-old female presented with intractable posterior neck pain. The patient experienced a sharp, sudden pain on the neck while swinging a golf club, immediately after the club head struck the ground. Dynamic cervical radiographic findings were C6 and C7 spinous process fractures. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed C6 and C7 spinous process fractures without spinal cord pathology. The patient was treated with pain medications and cervical bracing. The patient's pain gradually improved. The injury mechanism was speculated to be similar to Clay-shoveler's fracture. Lower cervical spinous process fractures can be associated with a golf swing. If the patient complains of long lasting neck pain and has a history of golf activity, further study should be conducted to rule out lower cervical spinous fracture.