A new approach towards hip-prosthesis design.

A new femoral prosthesis with a stemless design, different from conventional types, has been conceived in an effort to preserve the physiological stress distribution in magnitude and direction within the living bone as far as possible. The most important feature is that the hip joint forces are transmitted directly to the cortical bone of the resected femoral neck by means of a thrust plate, which maintains the physiological stress an the proximal end of the femur. The prosthesis, the instruments required for its implantation and the surgical technique are described in detail. Up to now, 3 patients have received this new prosthesis.