Herbert screw: results of a single-centre trial

We report the results of a single-centre trial of the Herbert screw in the treatment of acute fractures, fracture-dislocations and non-unions of the carpal scaphoid. In the trial, 22 patients were studied with a maximum follow-up of 2.5 years. Of the patients, 84 per cent had minimal or no pain, and 94 per cent were happy with their result or significantly improved. There was an average loss of 34 per cent of radial deviation of the wrist and of 10 per cent in cylinder grip strength. On radiographic examination, 86 per cent achieved satisfactory union. However, only 73 per cent of type D2 fractures united. Overall, the subjective and objective clinical results achieved were more satisfactory than the radiographic results would suggest.