[The use of carbon as manufacturing material of endoprotheses (author's transl)]

According to the present stage of technology, arthroplasties have a change of only short-term to medium-term success quotas despite good initial successes. Permanent healing is restricted because of possible loosening of the prostheses. Even clinically silent loosenings will ultimately lead to failures, either by progressive degeneration of the bones at the supporting points of the prosthesis or through breakage of the stem of the prostheses. Attempts to overcome such difficulties by changing the shape of the prostheses, remain unsuccessful. The material employed in the construction of the prosthesis is certainly of some importance in this connection. Carbon has been known for a long time as a well-tolerated material in implant surgery. Carbon is indeed distinguished by high biocompatibility. The development of new carbons based on graphite which considerably improve its physical properties, has enabled the manufacture of endoprostheses made from carbon. Studies have proved that this substance is nontoxic. There are also no immunological reactions. Abrasion is low, and the abraded particles do not produce any severe inflammatory reactions. Hence, prostheses made from carbon can be employed as combination constructions, using suitable types of carbon in accordance with the required functions.