[The Herbert screw in the treatment of fractures and pseudarthrosis of the carpal scaphoid. Review of 25 cases].

The Authors have reviewed the charts of 25 patients with scaphoid lesions treated with the Herbert screw and this study reports their personal experience. Between September 1983 and December 1986, 4 fresh fractures, 5 delayed unions and 16 pseudarthrosis were treated by means of this osteosynthesis procedure. The mean follow-up was 22 months. Bony union occurred in 21 patients. The series contains 2 failures defined as an absence of bony union after a post-operative delay of more than 6 months. There were 2 other cases considered as doubtful unions on X-rays. Wrist function, nevertheless, was restored in 23 patients. Plaster immobilization did not appear to be essential for every case. The short leave of absence, averaging 2 months only, is also in favour of this technique.