[Development of arthroplasty of the knee joint using endoprostheses]

The development of endoprosthetic arthroplasty of the knee joint since the beginning of this century has been presented. The most often used endoprostheses have been discussed. Attention has been drawn to the disadvantages of hinge endoprostheses, that were replaced by new modified types of endoprostheses including rotation of the joint and consisting in the union of metal with polyethylene. Some examples of new types of endoprostheses have been described, the multiaxial ones simulating physiological movements of the joint being the most interesting. The most often used epicondylar endoprostheses and partially constrained have been presented, pointing out the tendency to use cementless endoprostheses of the knee. The paper ends with a simplified division of over 400 types of knee endoprostheses produced on the world up to now.