Abstract: An artificial joint for implantation into the living body comprises a head portion adapted to be anchored in one bone of the body and a socket portion adapted to be anchored in another bone. One of the head and socket portions includes a permanent magnet and the other portion either a magnetizable element or another permanent magnet. The two interacting magnetic elements may be polarized for either attraction or repulsion. The head and socket portions are shaped to permit translatory movements relative to each other in addition to rotary movements of the head portion about at least one axis of rotation.