Herbert Screw Orthopedic Implant

The Herbert screw (invented by Timothy Herbert) is a variable pitch cannulated screw typically made from titanium for its stainless properties as the screw is normally intended to remain in the patient indefinitely. It became generally available in 1978. It is also called as headless compression screw and is used to achieve interfragmentary compression through its differential pitch (distance between adjacent threads of screw). It is used in scaphoid, capitellum, radial head and in osteochondral fractures. Other uses include osteochondritis dissecans & small joint arthrodesis.