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Fracture, Hamate: Hook, Body, Sports Medicine

Mark Stovak, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

A fracture through the hook or the body of the hamate 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Hamate fractures occur in three patterns: 
  • Type 1: hook

  • Type 2a: coronal (dorsal oblique and splitting)

  • Type 2b: transv...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Hook fracture:

    • Hook of the hamate fracture occurs in athletes who use equipment with a handle (e.g., golf clubs, baseball bats, and racquets) 2.

    • Athlete grips the handle of the club, ba...

TREATMENT

  • Hook fracture:

    • Acute treatment (<2 wk):

      • Conservative management:

        • Conservative option for nondisplaced fractures is a short arm cast. The cast should immobilize the metacarpophalangeal joints...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • Prognosis of hook fractures is generally good if they are diagnosed and treated (cast, excision, ORIF) early before tendon injury/rupture occurs 2.

  • Prognosis for hamate body fract...

REFERENCES

1
Hirano K, Inoue G. Classification and treatment of hamate fractures. Hand Surg.  2005;10(2–3):151–157.
2
Ivy A, Stern P. Hamate hook and pisiform fractures. Operative Techniques in Spor...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • The treatment option that will allow the quickest return to play with the least amount of residual symptoms is excision of the hook of the hamate.

  • Routine plain-film radiographs are not...

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