Abstract: A protective cap for prosthetic joints having one element in the form of a ball head, especially in the case of hip end-prosthetic joints, protects the ball head when it is positioned and fixed on the cone of the shank by the surgeon by hand. A crown is arranged on the pole of the protective cap. The crown is in the form of a plate for, the shape of the plate and its extent relative to the protective cap being such that it is possible to grip behind the plate on the side that faces the protective cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee-joint endoprosthesis with a metallic femoral part (2) anchored in the femur that articulates with a tibial part anchored in the tibia bone, the articulating surface of the femoral part (2) being a ceramic structural member (3) that is connected to the femoral part (2) in mechanically stable manner. With a view to optimising the attachment of the ceramic structural member (3) to the femoral part (2), various possible solutions are proposed.

Abstract: An instrument for manipulating, detachably holding and placing an insert portion of a joint socket prosthesis into an outer shell of a said prosthesis. The instrument includes a handle and a holding tool. The holding tool includes two or more grasping claws which extend radially from the longitudinal axis of the handle over the insert, and serve to engage the insert to the holding tool. The handle is elongated and slideably positioned within a longitudinal bore or hole in the holding tool and typically includes a plunger. The insert is released when an operator causes the handle to slide within the holding tool towards the insert with sufficient force to disengage the insert from the grasping claws.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee-joint endoprosthesis with a metallic femoral part (2) anchored in the femur that articulates with a tibial part anchored in the tibia bone, the articulating surface of the femoral part (2) being a ceramic structural member (3) that is connected to the femoral part (2) in mechanically stable manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hip joint prothesis having a metallic prothesis shell (1) with a cavity insert (2) having a spherical recess (3) and with an intermediate element (4) which is made of plastics and arranged between the prothesis shell (1) and the cavity insert (2). In order to avoid osteolysis, it is suggested that the intermediate element (4) consist of an upper portion (5) and a lower portion (6), that it be possible for upper portion (5) and lower portion (6) to be connected to each other, and that the cavity insert (2) be retained between upper portion (5) and lower portion (6).

Abstract: A knee-joint endoprosthesis includes a metallic femoral part (2) anchored in the femur that articulates with a tibial part anchored in the tibia bone, the articulating surface of the femoral part (2) being a ceramic structural member (3) that is connected to the femoral part (2) in a mechanically stable manner. The attachment of the ceramic structural member (3) to the femoral part (2), can be accomplished by using a conical clamping device, by use of a fixing screw, by shrinking, soldering or welding it on, or by vapor deposition or spray application.

Abstract: Joint prosthesis (1) with a cup-shaped supporting part (2) in whose interior a ceramic insert (3) is fastened by conical clamping. Clamping surface (6) of insert (3) runs at an angle (.alpha.) to clamping surface (7) of supporting part (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a hip joint socket for insertion into bone tissue, having an outer metal shell and an inner antifriction liner. The antifriction liner is fixed in the metal shell by means of a taper lock. To safeguard the socket insert and antifriction liner against misalignment and separation, and enable a non-destructive removal of the liner and replacement thereof, the angle (.alpha.) of the taper lock of the liner in the shell is between 10.degree. and 25.degree..