Our results support the use of the investigated short hip stem for THA when the femoral bone quality and morphology support the metaphyseal anchoring concept. The surgical technique must avoid a stem position without proximal-lateral cortical contact to the femoral osteotomy, as this reduces primary implant stability. Further follow-up is necessary to validate the long-term success of this procedure.

No abstract

Part of the patella ligament was resected in rabbits and replaced by carbon fibre implants. After 1, 2, 3, 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months carbon implants with surrounding tissues as well as iliac lymph nodes were removed and examined by light- and transmission electron microscopy. Of special interest were the questions whether the carbon fibre implant, will be removed by phagocytosis and substituted by a new ligament or a adequate repair tissue? Our light- and transmission electron microscopic studies give no indication of successful removal of carbon fibres by phagocytosis. The carbon fibre implant was surrounded by dense connective tissue like a scar. In deep layers of the carbon implant was no vital dense or regular connective tissue, even not after 3 and 12 months. There is no replacement of the carbon fibre implant by a new ligament or tendon but a persistent foreign body reaction. With regard to these results it is very doubtful if good late results with ligament and tendon replacement by carbon fibre implants can be expected in patients.

DEXA is a sufficiently precise method to investigate periprosthetic BMD. The postoperative periprosthetic course of mineralisation and the extent of BMD loss in the first 6 months after the Bicontact stem is similar to other periprosthetic BMD courses of prosthesis with a similar design. The course of mineralisation in "smaller" stems is obviously more auspicious than the course of "bigger" stems.

Oscar Vulpius dealt extensively with the problem of tendon transfer for motoric deficits. An analysis of his works shows that the knowledge of tendon healing, aftercare and operative techniques was already very widely advanced at the beginning of the last century.