[The anatomical GT sledge endoprosthesis Lübeck (author's transl)]

In case of complete or partial destruction of articular surfaces of the knee joint where the ligamentous apparatus is present but probably insufficient, alloplastic substitution of the articular surfaces is indicated. To achieve mobility as ideally as possible, it will be necessary to shape the endoprosthetic parts in such a manner that the healthy knee joint is imitated as closely as ever possible. The anatomical GT sledge endoprosthesis Lübeck (Grundei--Thomas) was conceived with this view in mind. To preserve the knee-joint as a functional unit, all of its compartments were taken into consideration, in particular also the articulatio plana, or arthrodial joint. To perform implantation of these endoprosthetic parts without improvisation, the implantates must be prepared in accordance with surgical patterns. The high functional demands made on the knee joint can only be met by completely abandoning the simplified schematic shapes and by producing articular surface substitutes imitating the normal anatomic joints.