The Epidemic of Hamate Injuries Sidelining MLB Stars
An orthopedic surgeon breaks down the hand injury that's plaguing baseball's biggest hitters and keeping them off the field.
Power-hitting has become the name of the game in Major League Baseball, with players constantly striving to launch more home runs and extra-base hits. But this relentless pursuit of power is taking a significant toll, as a rising number of players are finding themselves sidelined by a nagging injury: the hamate bone fracture.
Hamate injuries have become an epidemic in professional baseball, affecting many of the sport's biggest stars and most dangerous hitters. To better understand this issue, NPR's Ayesha Rascoe sat down with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas DiLiberti, who has extensive experience treating these types of hand and wrist injuries in MLB players.
According to Dr. DiLiberti, the hamate bone, located in the palm of the hand, is particularly vulnerable to stress and trauma from the powerful swings of today's power hitters. When the hook of the hamate bone breaks off, it can cause significant pain, swelling, and limited mobility, effectively sidelining players for weeks or even months.
Source: NPR
