endoproteese

Endoprosthesis, or endoproteese, is an internal prosthetic device implanted to replace all or part of a bone or joint. It is used across medical specialties, most notably orthopedics, where endoprostheses restore function after arthritis, trauma, deformity, or tumors. The devices may replace a whole joint or a single surface and may be placed during primary surgery or as part of a revision.

Orthopedic endoprostheses include total hip, total knee, and shoulder replacements, as well as partial replacements such as resurfacing arthroplasty or stemmed components. In other fields, endoprostheses include dental implants that replace tooth roots and vascular endoprostheses such as stent grafts.

Designs typically combine metal alloys (titanium, cobalt-chromium), ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene inserts, and ceramics. Implants can be fixed to bone with bone cement (polymethyl methacrylate) or press-fit for biological fixation. Modern devices are modular to allow intraoperative customization and to accommodate different sizes and anatomies.

Applications aim to relieve pain, restore function, and improve quality of life in conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative conditions, fractures, and certain tumors. Outcomes are generally favorable, with many patients experiencing substantial pain relief and improved mobility. Potential complications include infection, loosening or wear leading to osteolysis, dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, and the need for revision surgery. Longevity typically ranges from 15 to 25 years, depending on use and design.

History notes that the modern era began with Charnley hip arthroplasty in the 1960s, which spurred rapid advances in materials and surgical techniques and expanded joint replacement to other joints and fields.