Isolated Hamate Dislocation: A Case Report and Technique Guide

Isolated hamate dislocation is a rare case with potentially devastating complications, given the resultant instability of the carpus following the injury. This has been reported in the literature before with varying constructs and varying results but never with an internal bracing construct and early rehabilitation.

A 26-year-old male injured his left hand in an all-terrain vehicle accident. After initial misdiagnosis and subsequent persistent pain, he was diagnosed with a chronic dorsal hamate dislocation. An open reduction and internal brace fixation were performed resulting in an anatomic and stable reduction. By the final follow-up visit, the patient had no pain with near full range of motion and had returned to work with good to excellent outcome scores.

Open reduction with ligament reconstruction utilizing an internal bracing technique provides a stable fixation and anatomic repair of the intercarpal and carpometacarpal ligaments. This is a feasible treatment option for hamate dislocations that allows for early rehabilitation in comparison to previously described methods and may result in good to excellent outcomes.