Fractures of the humeral capitellum: Herbert screw fixation.

During the first half of 1991, five patients with displaced fractures of the humeral capitellum were managed by open reduction and fixation of the capitellar fragments with Herbert bone screws. All patients had stable, painfree elbows at follow-up, with no restriction of normal daily activities. There were no evidence of early avascular necrosis of capitellar fragments, even where soft tissue attachments of small fragments had been injured. This method of fixation allows accurate restoration of the articular surface of the humero-radial joint and may therefore contribute to the excellent functional results following this injury in these patients.