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Swing With Caution: Why Some Athletes Are at High Risk for Hamate Fractures
Published: Jul 06, 2024
For some athletes, the risk of a hamate fracture lurks in every swing. Understanding why certain sports and techniques put players at higher risk can help prevent these troublesome injuries.
The 'Danger Zone': Sports with High Hamate Fracture Risk
Baseball, golf, tennis, and cricket players face the highest risk of hamate fractures. The common thread? All involve gripping an implement (bat, club, or racquet) that can strike the palm during a swing. In fact, hook of hamate fractures are the most common hand injury requiring surgery in professional baseball players.
The Grip that Grabs: How Holding Technique Affects Risk
In baseball, a grip where the lowest finger or fingers are placed below the knob of the bat (called a 'palmar hamate grip') increases pressure on the hamate hook nearly four times compared to a standard grip. This seemingly small change in technique can significantly boost fracture risk.
The Check Swing Conundrum
Checking a swing – starting to swing but stopping abruptly – puts enormous stress on the hamate. This sudden change in momentum can lead to a fracture, especially if the player is using a risky grip technique. It's a perfect storm of forces acting on a vulnerable part of the wrist.
Beyond the Ballfield: Other At-Risk Activities
It's not just traditional 'stick and ball' sports that pose a risk. Underwater rugby players face a high incidence of hamate fractures due to repeatedly palming the ball. Rock climbers can develop stress fractures from chronic tension in their finger flexors. Even exercises like repetitive pushups can lead to hamate stress fractures in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Possibly, due to variations in bone structure and blood supply.
Some equipment may help, but proper technique is often more important.
Risk is more related to sport and technique than gender.
Not directly, but overall wrist strengthening may help reduce risk.
Not necessarily, but proper technique education is crucial for young players.
Knowledge is Prevention
Understanding your risk factors is the first step in preventing hamate fractures and staying in the game.
References
- Rhee PC, et al. Hand (N Y) 2021; 16:498.
- Alexeev M, et al. Orthop J Sports Med 2021; 9:23259671211045043.
- Flynn LS, et al. Orthop J Sports Med 2021; 9:23259671211060807.
- Scheufler O, et al. Hand Surg 2013; 18:357.
- Lutter C, et al. Wilderness Environ Med 2016; 27:492.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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