Herbert screw fixation of osteochondral fractures of the patella.

Two cases of osteochondral fractures of the patella are presented. These osteochondral fractures have been reduced and fixed with the Herbert scaphoid screw. This screw has several advantages over conventional methods of treatment of osteochondral fractures in that the screw is entirely buried in the bony fragment and no portion of the screw lies proud. The differential pitch of the two threads in the screw allows interfragmentary compression. The size of the screw is such that minimal articular cartilage damage is incurred in inserting the screw and this method of treatment does not require a second arthrotomy for removal of the screws.