Ball and socket prosthetic hip joint - can have ball end changed to suit thigh bone socket alterations

Abstract

Abstract Parent patent describes an artificial thigh joint of the ball and socket type in which the prosthetic components are made of metal alloy formed in a refractory mould having rough interior walls to give the components a rough spongelike surface into which bone cells grow to produce a tenacious grip by biological adhesion. In this addn., the ball end of the femur prosthesis is removable, being retained by interference force fit of a male and and female. Mating pair, one element of which is integral with the ball end. Pref. the male and female elements are formed to a common morse taper, e.g. 1 degrees included angle. Pref. also, the weight of the ball end is reduced by leaving only on outer shell and axially bored spigot in metal, with the cavity filled in with a lighter weight, inert material such as irradiated polyethylene. The ball end can be changed without disturbing the main part of the femur prosthesis- partic. useful if a different size of ball end is required to mate with an artificial socket inserted into the thigh bone when the natural socket becomes defective.

Inventors

No inventors recorded.

Bibliographic Details