Embodiments of the present invention provide rotationally asymmetric bone screws. Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms that reduce the bending stiffness of conventional shaft bone screws in order to yield a less-rigid fixation construct. Such a less-rigid construct enables a controlled amount of motion at a fracture site which in turn promotes bone healing. As a means to reduce the bending stiffness of positive-locking bone screws, embodiments of the present invention provide a bone screw having a non-circular cross-section over parts of the screw length and/or longitudinal slots along at least a portion of the bone screw.