Jikei-Type Artificial Hip Joint and Maesawa-Type Axial-Rotation Type Artificial Hip Joint (Nemoto Shokai)

The history of the development of THA can be seen in the cup arthroplasty by Smith-Petersen in 1939 [1], vitallium prosthesis by Moore, and acrylic prosthesis by Judet, which were clinically applied. Additionally, In 1956, Mckee and Farrar developed a THA using a combination of a metal socket and a metal head [2]. In 1961, Charnley developed low friction arthroplasty (THA) using a combination of a polyethylene socket and a metal head [3], and Weber-Hugller’s THA using a metal socket and a polyethylene head [4]. At the Jikei University School of Medicine, the Katayama-Hirakawa head prosthesis (initially hand-made and later ready-made) using acrylic resin (methyl methacrylate) was developed for the treatment of hip tuberculosis during the tenure of Professor Ryosuke Katayama (1945–1966) [5] and was also used for osteoarthritis of the hip joint (hip joint disease) [6]. Furthermore, The Jikei-type cup arthroplasty was also developed and clinically applied [7]. In the 1960s, the Charnley-type THA was introduced and attracted much attention, and the research and development of THA began in our department. The Jikei-type THA and Maesawa-type axial THA were put into practical use based on the Charnley and Weber-Hugller types. Both THAs were manufactured by NEMOTO SHOKAI Co. and clinical applications were reported at the first meeting of the Japanese Society for Artificial Joint Research (1972). Both THAs have the same concept of cementless fixation with three spikes on the acetabular component, but the sliding surfaces of both THAs are quite different. In this chapter, both THAs are introduced and the process of their development and changes are described.