Importance

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Abstract

A first prosthetic part (11) is adapted to be attached to a femur; a second prosthetic part (17) is adapted for attachment to the tibia. An intermediate joint assembly has a meniscal part (13) and a coupling part (15) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (39). The femoral part and an element of the intermediate joint assembly, respectively, have rotary joint surfaces (19, 21) which are essentially congruent. To permit the intermediate joint assembly to move in translatory direction in addition to rotation thereof about the axis (39), the assembly includes a guide portion (16) engaging a guide track(35), preferably formed on the meniscal and coupling parts, respectively. The guide track and the guide portion are interlocked, for example by forming the guide track and the guide portion in dovetail, tongue-and-groove connection, or the like. The guide track and guide portions extend in a direction which is essentially an analog of the physiological direction of sliding movement of a natural knee joint, which is being replaced by the prosthetic joint. To provide for increased stability, the guide portion may be formed with a stabilizing section (2136) which fits into a box-like stabilizing structure (2114) formed on the first prosthetic part (2111). It is possible to provide modular sets of prosthetic joint parts to meet various requirements.

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First Claim