JOINT PROSTHESIS

1479693 Endoprosthetic joint CUTTER LABORATORIES Inc 14 Aug 1974 [26 Sept 1973] 35871/74 Heading A5R A joint prosthesis, e.g. an elbow joint, Fig. 3 comprises: first and second stems 91, 94 for insertion in bores of the joint joined together at a hinge portion 93, 96; a multiplicity of longitudinally extending cords 97 extending continuously through said stems forming a reinforcing core and through a flexing web 98 which forms part of said hinge, said cords being coplanar at said web and gathered or twisted together in said stems; and a covering of tissue-ingrowth promoting fabric 100 e.g. polyester or PTFE mesh or velour over said stems 91, 94. The cords 97 are impregnated with silicone elastomer and also surrounded by a silicone elastomer coating 99. A further reinforcing core member 121 is provided in stem 91. Suture cords 108 are provided on stem 94 for attachment to the ulna. A cuff 101 is provided on stem 91, having suture cords 107 for attachment to the humerous. In an alternative embodiment, Figs. 1 and 2 (not shown), the reinforcing core member 121 is omitted. A further embodiment, Fig. 9 comprises a knuckle prosthesis 140 having stems 144 and 145 joined by a hinge portion 141, 142, 154, a layer of mesh 160 is included in the prosthesis to enable the cords to be properly placed during manufacture, the cords being adhered to or interwoven in said mesh 160. Suture cords 159 are provided, passing through the web portion 154 of the hinge portion. As an alternative to fabric covering to promote tissue ingrowth, the elastomer coating of the prosthesis may be polyurethane, and the outer surface be three dimensionally reticulated.