Controversy persists regarding preference between Herbert and Acutrak screw for internal fixation of scaphoid non-union. Acutrak screw has been shown to have better biomechanical compression properties than Herbert screw in the laboratory setting. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical, radiological and functional outcome of patients treated with the two different screw systems. A retrospective review of the results of patients with scaphoid non-union treated by a single surgeon. Group 1 comprised of 61 patients treated with Herbert screw between July1996 and June2000 and Group 2 comprised of 71 patients treated with Acutrak screw between July 2000 and December 2005. Union rates were assessed radiologically and clinically. Functional outcome was measured by using modified Mayo wrist score.Background
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