[Non-cemented Ceramic Acetabular Component.]

In 1989-1992 the authors used at the Orthopaedic Clinic, First Medical Faculty, Charles University Prague 34 ceramic conical non-cemented sockets. They used 12 original sockets type AUTOPHOR Osteo Co. and 22 local sockets manufactured by Dias Co. On evaluation of 25 patients, i. e. 26 hip joints, when using Harris score, the mean increment was 56 points, the mean follow up period two years. For evaluation the authors used AP projections as well as tangential pictures focused on the threads which make a more exact evaluation of the integration of the socket possible. The authors found that the radi-olucent line is lacking in 50 % patients, in the remainder the radiolucent line is evenly distributed into all three zones. The presence of the radiolucent line does not correspond with the patient's clinical condition. The excellent tribological properties are in favour of the ceramic-ceramic combination. One of the disadvantages of ceramic sockets is that they are very demanding as regards surgical technique and quality of bone, the demands being greater than in other implants. In the authors' view the high percentage of negative responses to this implant in the literature is due to the fact that an exceedingly accurate surgical technique is needed and some surgical errors are possible. When preparing the osseous bed and when preparing the thread a relatively great loss of osseous tissue must be foreseen, which is the main limiting factor of the use of this socket. Key words: endoprosthesis of the hip joint, non-cemented endoprosthesis of the hip joint, ceramic socket, ceramics.