Treatment of the hook of hamate fracture with robot navigation: A note on technique

Abstract

The aim of this study was to demonstrate a new robotic technique for the fixation of the fracture of the hook of hamate. In this retrospective study, six patients who had undergone treatment of the hook of hamate fracture with a new technique using robot navigation were included. Patients were evaluated postoperatively with flexion - extension and radial-ulnar range of wrist motion, and were measured using a goniometer. Grip strength and pinch strength were measured and compared with the contralateral wrist at the final follow-up. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Mayo Wrist Score were used to evaluate and record the recovery outcome of the wrist. Primarily, healing was achieved at 12.3 weeks postoperatively. At the final follow-up (5-22 months, average 13.1 months) the VAS score of the wrist was an average of 0.3 (0-2); the mean radial-ulnar deviation was 64.7°; the average of the flexion and extension range of motion was 141.9°; the average grip strength was 40.9 Kg; the average pinch strength was 11.8 Kg and the average Mayo Wrist Score was 95.8. This study has shown us that treatment of nondisplaced or minimal displaced fractures of the hook of the hamate with robot navigation is a viable technique with satisfactory clinical and radiological results.