Patellar prosthesis and method of making the same

A method of making a patellar prosthesis for implantation in the human body to replace the articulating surface of the patella comprising:

• providing a polymeric articulating surface portion blank, and,
• a metal backing portion which has an anterior surface adapted to be attached to the posterior surface of a resected patella, and a dome shaped posterior surface adapted to engage the polymeric articulating surface portion, said metal backing portion having at least one aperture extending therethrough which has a greater cross-sectional area on the anterior side than on the posterior side thereof, adapted to fixedly receive an anchoring peg integral with the anterior surface of the polymeric articulating surface portion, said anterior surface of said articulating surface portion blank being coextensive in size and shape with said metal backing portion and capable of being molded to conform to the contour thereof, said articulating surface portion having a generally convex posterior articulating surface.
• molding said polymeric surface portion blank onto the posterior side of said metal backing under heat and pressure so that said anchoring peg is molded into said aperture and fills substantially the entire volume thereof.