Degenerative changes at the scaphotrapezial joint following Herbert screw insertion: a radiographic study comparing patients with scaphoid fracture and primary hand arthritis.

One method of Herbert screw insertion is to mobilize the scaphotrapezial joint and insert the screw through the articular surface of the distal scaphoid. Because of concern that this might predispose to osteoarthritis in the scaphotrapezial joint, we have investigated joint space width and the presence of osteophytes adjacent to the scaphotrapezial joint using high definition macroradiography.Twenty-eight patients with symptomatic primary osteoarthritis of their hands, 23 with a scaphoid fracture successfully treated conservatively and 18 treated with a Herbert screw were studied. The patients with primary osteoarthritis of their hands had more narrowing of the scaphotrapezial joint compared with the other two groups, but patients treated with a Herbert screw had a significantly higher incidence of osteophytosis on the distal scaphoid than the other two groups. With Herbert screw fixation, osteophytosis on the distal scaphoid may cause impingement and pain, and be a predictor of further degenerative joint changes.