A hamate is one of eight carpal bones that make up your wrist. Specifically, it's located in the distal row (the row furthest from your forearm) and sits near the little and ring fingers. Its distinctive shape is irregular, resembling a wedge with a hook-like projection called the hamulus extending from its palm-side.
Key Features and Location of the Hamate Bone
- Irregular Shape: The hamate is not a regularly shaped bone; its unique form helps it fit precisely with other carpal bones.
- Distal Row Location: It's positioned in the furthermost row of carpal bones in your wrist, closer to your fingers.
- Proximity to Metacarpals: The hamate connects with the metacarpal bones of the little and ring fingers.
- Hamulus: This hook-like projection is a key identifying feature of the hamate bone and is often involved in specific types of fractures.
- Adjacent to Pisiform: The pisiform bone, another carpal bone, is located near the hamate, slightly above and ulnar-side (towards the little finger).
Types of Hamate Fractures
Hamate fractures are categorized into two main types:
- Type I Fractures: These involve the hook of the hamate (the hamulus), and are more common.
- Type II Fractures: These affect the body of the hamate. Type II fractures are often associated with higher-energy traumas and may involve other injuries.
The cause of a fracture will influence the symptoms, treatment, and recovery time. For example, hook of hamate fractures are often sports-related injuries, while body fractures might result from more significant trauma.
Symptoms of Hamate Fractures
Common symptoms associated with hamate fractures include:
- Pain in the wrist
- Swelling and bruising around the affected area
- Weakness in grip strength
Untreated fractures may lead to chronic pain and wrist instability.
Sources:
- Wikipedia: Describes the hamate as a wedge-shaped bone with a hook-like process (hamulus) projecting from its palmar surface. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamate_bone
- Physiopedia: Defines the hamate as one of eight carpal bones forming part of the wrist joint. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hamate
- Merriam-Webster: States that the hamate is a bone on the inner side of the second row of the carpus in mammals. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamate
- Other sources: Provide details on fracture types, symptoms, treatment, and recovery.
