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The authors give a short review of the history, development, results of the joint endoprosthetic, regarding mainly to the hip replacement, based on their own data and on international references. It is suggested that the development of the modern surgical technique changed the condition of the indication which needs a wide publicity.

Stem instability is the major cause of complications following total hip replacement. To prevent its onset, the authors based their method on Wolff's law of bone transformation. Of the known prostheses, the straight-stem one fitting best to the shape of medullar cavity was chosen and by its sagittal enlargement in three different sizes a new stem collection was designed. Stems providing the closest fit to the medullar cavity were selected by computer-assisted adjustment to three-directional X-ray pictures. The principle seems to be supported by preliminary results.

Authors report on their experiences gained during 7 years with 102 PM (Aesculap) and 76 Etropal cementless hip endoprosthesis and with the implantation without sticking of 264 standard prosthesis stems. They explain their results with bone rebuilding that can be certified also by Roentgenograms. The lack of success in a few per cent of the cases can be explained mainly by technical insufficience.