Twelve patients with fracture of the capitate are presented. The literature is reviewed and ninety-one fractures of the capitate, alone or in association with other injuries, are discussed. The anatomical relationships, mechanism of injury, type of fracture, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of these injuries are discussed on the basis of the collective experience. It is concluded that this injury has been diagnosed and reported with undeserved rarity and that a higher index of suspicion would lead to the recognition and treatment of more of these fractures.