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Is the hamate bone in the wrist?

Is the hamate bone in the wrist?

The hamate bone is one of eight carpal bones that forms part of the wrist joint. The word hamate is derived from the Latin word hamulus which means “a little hook”. It is a wedge-shaped bone with a hook-like process that can be found in the medial side of the wrist. Sometimes it is also called unciform bone.

What is the hamate bone in your hand?

The hamate bone is one of the eight small carpal bones in the wrist that connect the forearm to the hand. The hamate is a wedge-shaped bone located on the outside of the wrist on the small-finger side.

How painful is a hamate fracture?

The most common symptom of a fracture of the hook of the hamate is pain. Swelling, bruising, and weakness of grip are also common. The pain may be vague and difficult to reproduce, but should be found when an examiner presses directly on the hook of the hamate bone.

How is a hamate fracture treated?

Nondisplaced fractures can generally be treated with immobilization and close follow-up. Displaced hook of the hamate fractures can be treated with fragment excision, whereas displaced body fractures generally require open reduction and rigid internal fixation.

What is special about the hamate bone?

The hamate is a wedge-shaped carpal bone. The hamate has a hook-like process that projects from the palm-side of the wrist toward the outside of the body. The hook of the hamate forms part of Guyon’s canal, also known as the ulnar canal. Guyon’s canal is located along the lower edge of the palm.

What nerve and artery are most likely affected by a hamate fracture?

[1] The Guyon canal (a fibro-osseous structure that forms a groove between the pisiform and the hook of the hamate) carries the ulnar artery and nerve, for this reason, hook fractures should suggest a high probability of ulnar artery and nerve damage.

How common is a hamate fracture?

Epidemiology. Hamate fractures are unfrequent injuries, accounting for 2 to 4% of carpal fractures. Distal carpal row fractures are less common than first row fractures.

How long does it take for a hamate bone to heal?

Typically, if treated conservatively, simple fractures of the hamate are unified within 6-8 weeks of injury. Patient participation in full-contact sports, such as football, usually requires bracing or protection for the wrist until full musculature and flexibility have returned.

How do you break a hamate bone?

The Injury The hamate bone is one of the hand’s eight carpal bones at the base of the organ. It is a rare fracture when it comes to hand / wrist injuries, occurring in about two to six percent of all carpal fractures. For most people, the injury occurs due to a fall on an outstretched hand or direct blow to the palm.

How do I know if my hamate is broken?

What are the Symptoms of a Hamate Fracture?

  1. Sudden onset pain and swelling.
  2. Bruising.
  3. A sensation of “pins and needles” radiating up into the ring and pinky fingers if the has been nerve involvement in the injury.
  4. Loss of range of motion/stiffness.
  5. Muscle spasms.
  6. Weakness of grip.

Will a hamate fracture heal on its own?

Excision is subperiosteal, which decreases injury to the ulnar motor branch. Nondisplaced, stable body fractures usually heal with immobilization in an ulnar gutter short-arm cast for 3 weeks followed by a short-arm cast for 3 weeks. Surgery is indicated when symptoms persist secondary to nonunion.

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