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Cervical fracture in a nordic skier
1Sawtooth Orthopaedic Clinic, Sun Valley, ID, 83353, USA.
The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|January 21, 2010
Summary
Subtle cervical spine injuries can occur in non-contact sports. A cross-country skier with shoulder pain and thumb numbness was diagnosed with a C-6 articular pillar fracture, treated successfully with a cervical orthosis.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
Background:
- Cervical spine injuries may present subtly, even in sports not typically associated with significant trauma.
- Symptoms like shoulder pain and thumb numbness can mask underlying cervical spine pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of a subtle cervical spine fracture in a cross-country skier.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and successful management of such injuries.
Main Methods:
- A cross-country skier presented with shoulder pain and thumb numbness.
- Initial physical and radiographic examinations were inconclusive.
- Computed tomography (CT) revealed a C-6 right articular pillar fracture.
Main Results:
- The patient was treated with a rigid cervical orthosis.
- Complete symptom resolution and fracture healing were observed after 4 months.
Conclusions:
- Cervical spine injuries should be considered in athletes presenting with atypical symptoms, even in low-trauma sports.
- Advanced imaging like CT is crucial for diagnosing subtle fractures.
- Conservative management with immobilization can be effective for certain cervical spine fractures.
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