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Abstract

A method and apparatus for centering the stem of a femoral hip prosthesis in the cavity formed in the medullary canal in the proximal end of the femur. The apparatus includes a sleeve or other like device which is mounted onto the neck of the femoral hip prosthesis and which contains at least two projections extending from a lower surface thereof which are adapted to seat in correspondingly formed slots disposed on the upper proximal surface of the femur bone. The slots are positioned such that when the projections reside therein, the stem is centered within the cavity. The slots and projections are elongated in a direction generally transverse to the direction of elongation of the stem, and in this direction of elongation each slot and associated projection is not parallel to the other slot and associated projection. The device of this invention may be used either with prosthesis having a collar, or with a collarless prosthesis. The method of this invention includes the step of mounting a sleeve or other like device on the neck of a femoral hip prosthesis and inserting projections on the device into previously formed slots disposed on the upper proximal surface of the femur bone.

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First Claim