title: Hook of hamate fractures in competitive baseball players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Baseball players are susceptible to a number of specific upper extremity injuries secondary to batting, pitching, or fielding. Fractures of the hook of hamate have been known to occur in batters. The purpose of this study is to present our experience with the surgical management of hook of hamate fractures and their short-term impact on the playing capability of competitive baseball players.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with hook of hamate fractures between the years 2000 and 2012. The inclusion criteria were (1) hook of hamate fracture, (2) competitive baseball players, and (3) surgical treatment of the injury. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, surgical treatment, and outcome were collected from the medical records. Information on return to play was collected from the Internet when applicable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were seven male patients that underwent eight procedures. The mechanism of injury was attributed to batting in six cases and rogue pitches in two cases. All surgeries consisted of hamate hook excision and ulnar tunnel decompression. One patient had concomitant carpal tunnel release. The median time between surgery and return to play was 5.7 weeks (range, 4.3 to 10.4 weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mechanism of hook of hamate fractures in baseball players is predictable, most often developing secondary to repetitive swinging. This injury may occur at all levels of competition. Ulnar tunnel decompression with hook of hamate excision provides good outcomes, with minimal complications and early return to play.
authors.affiliation: The Philadelphia Hand Center, P.C. 834 Chestnut Street, Suite G114, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA.
authors.forename: Abdo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachoura
authors.affiliation: The Philadelphia Hand Center, P.C. 834 Chestnut Street, Suite G114, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wroblewski
authors.affiliation: The Philadelphia Hand Center, Thomas Jefferson University, 700 South Henderson Road, Suite 200, King of Prussia, PA 19406 USA.
authors.forename: Sidney M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.affiliation: The Philadelphia Hand Center, P.C. 834 Chestnut Street, Suite G114, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA.
authors.forename: A Lee
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Osterman
authors.affiliation: The Philadelphia Hand Center, P.C. 834 Chestnut Street, Suite G114, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA.
authors.forename: Randall W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Culp
keywords: Baseball; Fracture; Hook of hamate