A hook of the hamate fracture or a hamate hook fracture is a broken bone in the wrist area. It most often occurs in athletes who handle golf clubs, hockey sticks, and other pieces of equipment they grip tightly. During play, if the palm is hit hard or the impact from a hit to your equipment travels to the wrist, you may be injured.
If you have a hook of the hamate fracture, you want treatment right away. At Fondren Orthopedic Group, we make it easy to book an appointment online with an orthopedic specialist quickly and conveniently. Our practice is physician-led, not corporation-led, so we offer compassionate care and a customized treatment plan to support your broken hamate bone recovery.
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Eight carpal bones in your wrist connect your wrist to your forearm. The bone that supports the bones of your pinky finger and ring fingers and connects the wrist to the hand is known as the hamate bone. This hamate has another piece of bone that sticks out toward your palm. This is known as the hook of the hamate.
The hook of the hamate has many vital nerves, tendons and arteries passing close to it, and these can be damaged in a hook of the hamate fracture. Another potential complication is that if the hook of the hamate fracture does not heal correctly, the rough edges of the broken bone can wear away at the tendons and other structures nearby. This damage can make it hard to make a fist, grasp something or otherwise move your fingers toward your palm.
Symptoms of a hook of the hamate fracture can look different from patient to patient, but usually include pain and swelling in the wrist and palm area, on the side closest to your pinky fingers. You may notice the pain gets worse if you push, pull, grasp, or catch with your hand.
Treatments vary, but they often include a cast or splint. Immobilization and avoiding specific activities, such as sports, can allow the injury to heal, which may take weeks or months. Your doctor will monitor your progress and may recommend additional nonsurgical interventions, as well as pain management strategies to alleviate your symptoms.
Some professional athletes opt for surgery to return to the game sooner. Doctors may also recommend surgery if nonsurgical interventions did not fix the issue. If you have a fractured/broken hamate bone, recovery after surgery will depend on the type of operation.
If you are experiencing pain and swelling in your hand or have already been diagnosed with a hamate bone fracture and would like compassionate, cutting-edge treatment in the Houston area, book an appointment with Fondren Orthopedic Group. Please review our first visit guide so you are prepared to embark on your healing journey with us.
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