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Case report of right hamate hook fracture in a patient with previous fracture history of left hamate hook: is it hamate bipartite?

Marion W Evans Jr¹ , Micheal L Gilbert² and Sandra Norton³

¹  Parker College of Chiropractic Research Institute, 2500 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, USA

²  Resident, Parker College of Chiropractic Department of Radiology, 2500 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, USA

³  Chair – Parker College of Chiropractic Department of Radiology, 2500 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, USA

author email corresponding author email

Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2006, 14:22doi:10.1186/1746-1340-14-22

Published:	12 October 2006

Abstract

Background

Hamate hook fracture is a common fracture in golfers and others who play sports that involve rackets or sticks such as tennis or hockey. This patient had a previous hamate fracture in the opposing wrist along with potential features of hamate bipartite.

Case presentation

A 19 year old male presented with a complaint of right wrist pain on the ulnar side of the wrist with no apparent mechanism of injury. The pain came on gradually one week before being seen in the office and he reported no prior care for the complaint. His history includes traumatic left hamate hook fracture with surgical excision.

Conclusion

The patient was found to have marked tenderness over the hamate and with a prior fracture to the other wrist, computed tomography of the wrist was ordered revealing a fracture to the hamate hook in the right wrist. He was referred for surgical evaluation and the hook of the hamate was excised. Post-surgically, the patient was able to return to normal activity within eight weeks. This case is indicative of fracture rather than hamate bipartite. This fracture should be considered in a case of ulnar sided wrist pain where marked tenderness is noted over the hamate, especially after participation in club or racket sports.