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Abstract

An apparatus for use in surgical hip replacement procedures for ensuring that the replacement hip joint components are properly sized. The acetabulum and femur are exposed, one end of a flexible measuring cable is attached to the superior eminence of the acetabulum and the cable is extended inferiorly so that it is aligned with a specific point on the femur, preferably the lesser trochanter. The selected point on the femur is marked and the scaling or marking indicator carried by the flexible cable is positioned in relation thereto. After this reference distance between the fixed points is determined, the flexible cable is moved out of the way while its end remains fixed to the acetabulum. The installation of an acetabular cup prosthesis and the femur is prepared to receive the femoral implant. After the femur is prepared, trial femoral implants are installed to determine the proper fit with the femoral canal. The selection of the proper neck length to ensure the proper resulting leg length is facilitated by extending the flexible cable attached at one end to the superior eminence of the acetabulum toward the marked position of the femur so that the marked position is aligned with the indicator fixed to the cable. The neck length of the femoral implant may be selected to match the distance between the inferior surface of the replacement acetabular cup prosthesis and the stem of the femoral implant.

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