Proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis with the Herbert screw.

Numerous fixation techniques have been described to obtain successful proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis. By use of the Herbert screw for compression, 50 (98%) out of 51 PIP joints were fused within 6 weeks. Biomechanically, PIP joint arthrodeses using the Herbert screw in cadaver joints were comparable to tension band arthrodeses evaluated by three-point bending. Herbert screw arthrodesis of the PIP joint achieves a high fusion rate with minimal external protection provided certain technical details are followed.