[Assorted aluminium-oxide ceramic heads for prostheses of the hip-joint. A preliminary communication (author's transl)].

In the search for even more hard-wearing prostheses of the hip, a rotating total- and femoral head prosthesis and a total- and femoral head prosthesis with fixed detachable heads are described, the head of which is made from highly polished aluminium oxide ceramic, Biolox. For total prostheses the excellent gliding features between ceramic head and polyethylen acetabulum are being used. They will also permit return to proved metal-polyethylen prostheses, should the ceramic head fracture. The fracture prosthesis provides both such an exchange and conversion into a total prosthesis. Extending the present programme of rotation-prostheses to ceramic heads will require a wide assortment of heads. This will mean not only wide adaptability but also the need for detailed knowledge of this assortment, the use of which demand thorough preparation of the surgeon. In order to collect material of the use of these prostheses, the authors are very keen to hear of drawbacks- and without reticence-as soon as possible. Publication of our own experience will follow this preliminary communication in due course.