Clinical Classification and Treatment Strategy of Hamate Hook Fracture

To explore the clinical classification of hamate hook fracture and the treatment strategy for different type of fractures,12 patients who suffered from hamate hook fractures were followed up retrospectively.According to the fracture sites and the prognosis,we classified the hamate hook fractures into 3 types.Type Ⅰ referred to an avulsion fracture at the tip of hamate hook,type Ⅱ was a fracture in the middle part of hamate hook,and type Ⅲ represented a fracture at the base of hamate hook.By the classification,in our series,only 1 fell into type Ⅰ,7 type Ⅱ,and 4 type Ⅲ.The results were evaluated with respect to the functional recovery,recovery time and the association among the clinical classification,pre-operative complications and treatment results.The average follow-up time of this group was 8.4±3.9 months.Two cases were found to have fracture non-union and both of them were type Ⅱ fractures.Six patients had complications before operation.Five cases were type Ⅱ fractures and 1 case type Ⅲ fracture.All the patients were satisfied with the results at the time of the last follow-up.Their pain scale and grip strength improved significantly after treatment.All the pre-operative complications were relieved.The recovery time of hamate hook excision was significantly shorter than that of the other two treatments.The incidences of both pre-operative complications and non-union in type Ⅱ fractures were higher than those in type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ fractures.It was concluded that,generally,the treatment effects with hamate hook fracture are quite good.The complication incidence and prognosis of the fracture are closely related to the clinical classification.Early intervention is critical for type Ⅱ fractures.

Minimally invasive method to treat a rare wrist injury with simultaneous fractures of the scaphoid and hook of hamate: A case report and literature review

Concomitant fractures of the hook of hamate and scaphoid are rare injuries to the wrist. Whenever these fractures cannot be effectively managed, nonunion or osteonecrosis is encountered. Subsequent treatment is thus much more challenging for a hand surgeon or orthopedist. Minimally invasive percutaneous internal fixation is an optimal treatment with the potential to minimize injury and reduce fractures. However, the control of iatrogenic injuries, including possible damage to the adjacent vital tissue, is a challenge that needs to be addressed. Herein,we describe the case of a 26-year-old man who presented with fractures to the scaphoid and hook of hamate in his left wrist. Minimally invasive treatment-with closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of the scaphoid, wrist arthroscopy, and closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of the hook of hamate-was performed at our institution. The Mayo score of the wrist, visual analog scale(VAS) for pain, grip strength, pinch strength, and wrist motion in radial/ulnar and flexion/extension deviation were recorded. Primary healing was achieved in both fractures. At the final follow-up, the Mayo score of the wrist was 100(excellent), the VAS score was 0(no pain),and the grip and pinch strength of his injured hand were 90.9% and 83.3%, respectively, compared with the contralateral hand(grip strength: left, 50 kg;right, 55 kg. Pinch strength: left, 20 kg;right, 24 kg). The radialulnar, flexion-extension, and forearm pronation-supination directions were 30°, 140°, and 90°, respectively.Minimally invasive closed reduction with percutaneous internal fixation is an optimal technique with satisfactory outcomes for simultaneous fractures of the hook of hamate and scaphoid. Provided in this paper are details of the technique and technical suggestions for performing the procedure.