Original CommunicationsBiomechanical evaluation of flexor tendon function after hamate hook excision*,**
Section snippets
Materials and methods
Eight normal, fresh-frozen cadaver forearms were fixed on a specially designed frame (Fig. 1).The wrist and the hand were secured to the frame platform by 3-mm K-wires passed through the radius and distal metacarpal shafts of the thumb and small finger
Results
Reductions in flexor tendon forces were found after hamate hook excision when the flexor tendons were loaded with 5-lb (2.26 N) and 10-lb (5.33 N) forces (Table 1).Empty Cell 5-lb (2.26 N) Force 10 lb (5.33 N) Force Small finger 8% to 12% 7% to 9% Ring finger 11% to 20% 11% to 20% Long finger 12% to 16% 12% to 16%
Discussion
Hamate hook fractures in athletes may be divided into direct and indirect injuries.6 Direct mechanisms of injury include acute impingement on the hamate hook by a handle such as that of a bat, racket, or golf club, and the indirect mechanism refers to shearing fractures of the hamate hook base by flexor tendons contracting forcefully as they move ulnarly in a power grip.6 Patients usually present late and complain of increasing pain at the dorsal and ulnar aspects of the hand with use of the
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Janice Hepler, Executive director of Medical Education & Research Institute, Memphis, TN, and Richard Smith, Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Research Laboratory, for their contributions.
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