Swing With Caution: Why Some Athletes Are at High Risk for Hamate Fractures

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

Understanding your risk factors is the first step in preventing hamate fractures and staying in the game.

Related Articles

• What's the Deal with Hamate Fractures? The Sneaky Wrist Injury You Might Miss
• Cracking the Case: How Doctors Diagnose Tricky Hamate Fractures
• Healing Hamate Fractures: From Cast to Comeback
• Is It Just a Bruise? Spotting the Subtle Signs of a Hamate Fracture

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