[Ceramic couplings in orthopedic surgery].

Ceramic materials have been used as a coupling in total hip arthroplasty since the 1970s to solve the problem of polyethylene particle disease. Several problems with the material and the design have been identified and solved. Using inlays and ceramic heads of the latest generation offers the possibility of reducing the wear rate to as low as 0.001 mm per year. The problem of ceramic fractures is rare. Recently due to the manufacturing process some zirconia ceramic heads have been problematic. New developments with other ceramics are discussed.