[Technique of the alloplastic ligament substitution with carbon fibres (author's transl)]

Chronic instabilities or remaining luxations of joints are not acceptable for an active human being. The desired result is often not achieved by surgical methods applying most different autologous and homologous materials. This is why our working group has been trying for several years to develop a more promising method using an alloplastic material in the form of carbon ligaments. Numerous mechanical, biological, biomechanical, and histological examinations showed that the implantation of woven carbon ligaments in man could be accepted. During the most recent years, we have effected 150 ligament grafts with this material and, in course of time, we have been able to modify and to ameliorate the operation techniques. Today we may state that the described operation methods using ligaments of carbon fibres in the sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, knee and ankle joint can bring about favorable results with regard to their function and stability. Further improvements can probably be achieved by a careful examination of the results obtained hitherto which will possibly include another refinement of the operation technique. A definite evaluation of this method, however, will only be possible within several years, when clinical check-up examinations will be made.