Vascular Injuries of the Hand and Wrist

Vascular injury of the hand and wrist may occur in baseball players secondary to repetitive trauma. Injury, although rare, is known to occur most commonly in baseball catchers, but pitchers, infielders, and batters are also subject to vascular disorders. Injury to the distal ulnar artery, known as hypothenar hammer syndrome, is the most common vascular injury in baseball and may lead to vascular insufficiency of the hand. In this chapter, we outline the vascular anatomy of the hand and wrist and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of hand and wrist vascular injuries sustained in baseball players, with emphasis on hypothenar hammer syndrome.