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Book

Hamate Fractures

Mariano O. Abrego  1 , Adil S. Ahmed  2 , Franco L. De Cicco  1
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Book

Hamate Fractures

Mariano O. Abrego et al.
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Excerpt

Hamate fractures are rare and underreported. These injuries are usually misdiagnosed or confused with simple wrist sprains. Delayed diagnosis is not uncommon.

The hamate is a triangular-shaped bone that forms part of the distal carpal row, articulating with the capitate (radially), triquetrum (proximally), and fifth and fourth metacarpals (distally).

Considering its unique anatomy (Figure 1), hamate fractures usually get subdivided into two broad groups: hook fractures and body fractures.

Classification of hamate fractures:

  1. Type 1: Hook of the hamate fracture

  2. Type 2: Body of the hamate fracture

    1. 2a: Coronal (may be dorsal oblique or splitting fracture)

    2. 2b: Transverse fracture

Associated hook fracture injuries:

  1. Ulnar artery injury

  2. Ulnar nerve injury

Associated body fracture Injuries:

  1. Fourth and fifth metacarpal fracture-dislocation

  2. Greater arc perilunate fracture-dislocation

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Mariano Abrego declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Adil Ahmed declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Franco De Cicco declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. Bishop AT, Beckenbaugh RD. Fracture of the hamate hook. J Hand Surg Am. 1988 Jan;13(1):135-9. - PubMed
    1. Arora S, Goyal A, Mittal S, Singh A, Sural S, Dhal A. Combined intraarticular fracture of the body and the hook of hamate: an unusual injury pattern. J Hand Microsurg. 2013 Dec;5(2):92-5. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hirano K, Inoue G. Classification and treatment of hamate fractures. Hand Surg. 2005;10(2-3):151-7. - PubMed
    1. Yalcinkaya M, Azar N, Dogan A. A rare wrist injury: simultaneous fractures of the hamate body and scaphoid waist. Orthopedics. 2009 Aug;32(8) - PubMed
    1. Gella S, Borse V, Rutten E. Coronal fractures of the hamate: are they rare or rarely spotted? J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2007 Dec;32(6):721-2. - PubMed

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