[The Giessen model of a cement-free implantable total endoprosthesis for the hip joint]

Complete endoprostheses of the bitrochanteric type were implanted in Giessen in 111 patients the average age of whom was 74 years. Computer-assisted evaluation showed that more than 70% of these patients developed autonomous mobility. The rest had not been able to walk before surgery, but could be nursed or became able to sit after the operation or were still followed up. At the end of follow-up treatment, a rate of 90% of mobile patients with or without stick is to be expected. Initially, the implantation technique is certainly more difficult to learn with this model than with other allo-endoprostheses of the hip joint. This is due to the fact that the implants are an exact replica of the pertrochanteric region, thus permitting a broad contact face to the cortical substance instead of the punctiform contact of some other models. Once learned, the technique can be applied without considerable problems. At our Department it has proved to be successful.