Abstract: A load-stabilizing prosthetic joint is comprised of three basic components. A first component is adapted to be associated with a first bone and has an arcuate bearing surface and a shank terminating in a headed member. A second component is adapted to be associated with a second bone adjacent the first bone and has a terminal portion with rigid walls defining an open ended socket. A third component, for connecting the first and second components, has an internal cavity and a passage communicating therewith. The third component is sufficiently flexible to permit the headed member to be passed through the pasage into the cavity to connect the first and third components. The rigid walls of the second component embrace the third component providing support therefor, and prevent the headed member from passing outwardly of the passage in use.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint is comprised of three basic components. A first component is adapted to be associated with a first bone and has an arcuate bearing surface at one end thereof. The first component is constructed such that it may pivot on its bearing surface. A second component is adapted to be associated with a second bone adjacent to the first bone. The second component has a terminal portion at one end facing toward the bearing surface of the first component and has rigid walls defining an open-ended socket. The walls of the second component are connected to the first component in a manner to allow pivoting of the first component with respect to the second component. A third component has an arcuate bearing surface mating with the arcuate bearing surface on the first component. The third component is located in the open-ended socket with its walls embracing the same so that the mating bearing surfaces cooperate to carry the loading forces of the joint in use.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic joint, particularly suitable for use as an elbow joint, comprising a first component and a second component, each of which includes a stem implantable in bone. The first component has a head portion whose end is essentially spheroid, the head portion being slotted and having a transverse bore therethrough. The second component has a head-engaging portion including a protuberant disc-shaped portion received in the slot of the head portion of the first component. A transverse bore in the protuberant portion is aligned with the bore in the head portion of the first component, and a pin assembly is positioned within the bores for hingedly attaching the first and second components. The head-engaging portion of the second component includes overlying shoulders which receive the ball-shaped head portion of the first component on either side of the slot.