Cervical fracture in a nordic skier.
Cervical injuries with subtle physical and radiographic signs can occur in any sport, even those that do not usually produce significant musculoskeletal trauma. In this case, a cross-country skier's symptoms-shoulder pain and thumb numbness-were initially thought to represent a shoulder injury. Reflex testing raised the possibility of a cervical spine injury. Radiographs were negative for fracture, but computed tomography revealed a fracture of the C-6 right articular pillar. The patient was placed in a rigid cervical orthosis. After 4 months the patient's symptoms resolved and the fracture healed.
Floyd
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Sawtooth Orthopaedic Clinic, Sun Valley, ID, 83353, USA.