[Scaphoid pseudarthrosis of the proximal third--results of treatment with the Herbert screw]

Purpose of this study was to assess the value of the Herbert screw used with iliac crest cancellous bone graft for treatment of scaphoid nonunion in the proximal third. From 1986 to 1996, 75 patients underwent this procedure. We followed-up on 67 of them using the Martini score, which covers pain, grip strength and social activities, range of motion, X-ray results, individual, clinical and overall assessment. We found 57 patients (85.1%) with a good to excellent outcome, eight patients (11.9%) with satisfactory results and two patients with a poor result. We conclude that the Herbert screw with or without cancellous bone graft should be the first choice for surgical treatment of non-union located in the proximal third of the scaphoid bone.