Ver el código de «Cervical spinous process fracture»

==Background==
*Isolated fracture of the spinous processes of the lower cervical or upper thoracic vertebrae
*Caused by hyperflexion of neck → muscles pull on supraspinous ligament → avulsion fracture of spinous process
*Also known as "clay shoveler's fracture"
*A [[Unstable spine fractures|"stable"]] fracture
*C7 is most commonly affected

{{Vertebral fractures and dislocations types}}

==Clinical Features==
*Pain in lower neck/upper back
*Tenderness over fracture site

==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Blunt neck trauma DDX}}

==Evaluation==
*Plain films or CT (preferred to eval for other injuries) of cervical/thoracic spine
*[[Neurologic exam]] (fracture only rarely associated with neurologic injury)

==Management==
*Prehospital Immobilization see [[EBQ:Prehospital Spine Immobilization|NAEMSP National Guidelines for Spinal Immobilization]]
*Place in cervical collar - high rates of union with conservative management

==Disposition==
*Discharge

==See Also==
*[[Cervical spine injuries]]

==References==
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[[Category:Trauma]]
[[Category:Orthopedics]]