Biomechanical comparison of fixation devices in experimental scaphoid osteotomies

This study determined the force, bending rigidity, and bending moment at failure of three types of internal fixation systems for the scaphoid bone. A pair of parallel, 0.045-inch Kirschner wires were compared on a paired, bilateral basis with either a Herbert screw or a 3.5 millimeter cannulated screw in repairing a transverse waist osteotomy in cadaver scaphoids. The mean values at failure of the Herbert screw and the cannulated screw versus the paired, parallel Kirschner wires for force (65 N and 77 N versus 23.7 N), rigidity (0.47 Nm2 and 0.54 Nm2 versus 0.16 Nm2) and bending (0.98 Nm and 1.15 Nm versus 0.36 Nm) were approximately three times greater. These differences were statistically significant when compared on a paired basis. This experiment demonstrates that the Herbert screw and cannulated screw are significantly stronger in resisting bending forces than paired, parallel Kirschner wires.