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 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.