This Classic Article is a translation of the original work by Franz König, "Ueber freie Körper in den Gelenken" [On loose bodies in the joint]. Dtsch Z Chir. 1887;27: 90-109. available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-013-2824-y (Translated by Drs. Richard A. Brand and Christian-Dominik Peterlein). An accompanying biographical sketch of F. König is available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-013-2823-z . A PDF of the original German is available as supplemental material. (ED Note: An attempt has been made to preserve some of the original wording while placing the material in a contemporary context. In some cases the author's original intent was obscure.).