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Contents
  • The Telltale Tenderness: Where It Hurts
  • Grip Troubles: When Holding On Gets Hard
  • The Nerve Factor: Tingling and Numbness
  • The Deceptive Lack of Swelling

Is It Just a Bruise? Spotting the Subtle Signs of a Hamate Fracture

Is It Just a Bruise? Spotting the Subtle Signs of a Hamate Fracture

The Sneaky Symptoms

Hamate fractures can be masters of disguise, often mimicking less serious injuries. Learning to recognize their subtle signs can be the key to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Contents
  • The Telltale Tenderness: Where It Hurts
  • Grip Troubles: When Holding On Gets Hard
  • The Nerve Factor: Tingling and Numbness
  • The Deceptive Lack of Swelling

The Telltale Tenderness: Where It Hurts

The most common symptom of a hamate fracture is pain, but its location is specific. You'll typically feel tenderness over the hypothenar eminence – that's the padded area on the pinky side of your palm. This pain often intensifies when you grip objects, especially if you're squeezing something tightly.

Grip Troubles: When Holding On Gets Hard

A hamate fracture can significantly affect your grip strength. You might notice weakness or pain when trying to grasp objects, particularly when using your ring and little fingers. This can make everyday tasks like turning doorknobs or holding a cup challenging.
A hamate fracture is a break in the hook of the hamate bone located on the pinky side of the wrist. It often presents with tenderness over the hypothenar eminence and can affect grip strength.

The Nerve Factor: Tingling and Numbness

In some cases, a hamate fracture can affect the nearby ulnar nerve. This might cause tingling, numbness, or weakness in your ring and little fingers. You might also notice difficulty with fine motor tasks involving these fingers. These symptoms can be similar to other nerve conditions, adding to the diagnostic challenge.

The Deceptive Lack of Swelling

Unlike many other fractures, hamate fractures often don't cause significant swelling. This lack of obvious external signs can lead both patients and healthcare providers to underestimate the injury. It's one reason why these fractures are sometimes initially misdiagnosed as simple sprains.

FAQs

Can I move my fingers with a hamate fracture?

Usually yes, but you may have pain or weakness, especially in the ring and little fingers.

Does the pain from a hamate fracture go away on its own?

Not typically; persistent pain is a key sign that medical evaluation is needed.

Can a hamate fracture cause wrist clicking or popping?

Sometimes, especially if the fracture involves the hook portion of the bone.

Is bruising common with hamate fractures?

Not always; the lack of visible bruising can make these fractures easy to overlook.

Can symptoms appear gradually over time?

Yes, especially in cases of stress fractures from repetitive activities.

When in Doubt, Check It Out

If you're experiencing persistent hand pain, especially after an injury or repetitive activity, it's worth getting evaluated for a possible hamate fracture.
Experiencing any of these symptoms? Consult with Doctronic to determine if you should be evaluated for a hamate fracture.
Additional References
  1. Klausmeyer MA, Mudgal CS. J Hand Surg Am 2013; 38:2457.
  2. Shimizu H, et al. Hand Surg 2012; 17:347.
  3. Bachoura A, et al. Hand (N Y) 2013; 8:302.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.