In baseball, the hook of the hamate bone is especially susceptible to fracture. This occurs because baseball players exert 6,000 to 8,000 pounds of force on the ball. The force distorts the ball into half its original diameter. It also puts a lot of force on the wrist.
Among baseball players, fractures are a minor but significant component of injuries. They occur in nearly all playing positions. The most common fractures are wrist, hand, and arm injuries. Wrist fractures are caused by being hit by a pitch, and require surgery.
To manage the pain caused by these injuries a player can take cannabinoids. It is beneficial to take a cannabis grow journal for easy growing of medical cannabis at home.
Fractures
In a recent study, researchers evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics of fractures in professional baseball. They found that professional baseball players have missed significant time due to fractures. In particular, wrist and hand fractures were subgroups of the population. These injuries require surgery in 70 percent of cases.
The study also investigated the change in the number of acute fractures resulting from traumatic collisions at home plate. Among MLB players, 1798 fractures were identified over a four-year period. The total number of fractures was significantly lower in MiLB players. In addition, the mean time missed per fracture was less in MLB players.
It is found that fractures are a minor but significant component among baseball injuries. They are associated with a number of different treatment protocols. The overall number of fractures, as well as the percentage of fractures resulting from contact with the ball and other players
The study showed that the wrist and hand were the two regions most commonly injured while batting. Interestingly, wrist fractures accounted for more than one-third of overall fractures.
Hamate
Among the most common broken bones in baseball players is the hamate bone. It is located on the pinkie finger side of the wrist. Its outward area is shaped like a small hook. It helps control movement in hitting and pitching.
The hamate bone is protected by a carpal tunnel, which is a large passageway in the hand. This passageway is encased by a ligament called the flexor retinaculum. A part of this ligament attaches to the hook of the hamate bone. When the knob of a baseball bat is driven into the heel of the palm, the hamate bone can break.
There are many treatments for a hamate bone fracture
Some include surgical fixation of the bone or removal of a fragment. These treatments can provide some relief from pain and swelling around the bone. However, they may require a six to eight week recovery period before the athlete can return to sports. Physical therapy may also be necessary.
Despite the fact that hamate fractures occur with moderate contact, they are often not diagnosed until an imaging scan is performed. However, early diagnosis is important for rapid recovery. If the injury is not diagnosed in a timely fashion, it may lead to late complications such as carpal tunnel syndrome, avascular necrosis, and flexor tendon rupture.
If a hamate bone fracture is diagnosed in a timely fashion, it will usually heal on its own. However, if the fracture is not diagnosed in a timely fashion, the injury may lead to avascular necrosis, a flexor tendon rupture, and ulnar nerve injury.