Element for temporarily increasing the rigidity of an orthopaedic prosthesis

Abstract

The element (20) according to the invention comprises a biodegradable body which is, before or during the implantation of an orthopaedic prosthesis (1), inserted into a recess (2) in the prosthesis (1) such that the rigidity of the prosthesis is increased. The element (20) provides mechanical connection between the shell segments (1a, 1b, 1c) so that the element (20) performs a supporting function which reduces the elastic properties of the outer shell (1). The ability of the biodegradable element (20) to transfer forces is increasingly reduced after the implantation so that the outer shell (1) of the artificial acetabulum has increasingly more elastic properties depending on the mechanical properties determined by the structure. Some time after the implantation, the biodegradable element (20) degrades so much that it no longer transfers any forces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.