[The possibility of using carbon material in surgery of joints]

The experiments consisting in replacement of a dissected anterior cruciate ligament of the knee in rabbits with a bundle of parallel carbon fibers and a braided carbon covered with animal collagen lyophilized dura mater have been performed. Similar experiments have been performed on dogs. The lateral ligaments of the knee were also restored, longitudinally cut menisci and the Achilles tendon were sutured. The produced carbon plate and metal screws were used to fix bone fracture. The positive results of the experiments on animals with the use of carbon fibers of Polish make have proved the possibility of their employment for periarticular ligament reconstruction, suturing, Achilles tendon injuries and juxta capsular meniscus rupture. The union of bone fracture with a composite carbon plate has shown the superiority of "carbon" osteosynthesis over "metal" one. It is believed that carbon materials will be used clinically more widely.