Method and apparatus for replacing a femoral component of a hip joint

A prosthesis comprising an elongated stem for disposition within a cavity formed in a bone, the elongated stem comprising:

• a distal end terminating in a distal end surface, a proximal end terminating in a proximal end surface and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end;
• at least one longitudinally-extending slit extending distally from the proximal end surface and terminating intermediate the elongated stem;
• a longitudinally-extending threaded expansion hole extending distally from the proximal end surface and terminating intermediate the elongated stem;
• and
• an expansion bolt comprising a proximal end and a distal end and sized to be received within the threaded expansion hole;
• wherein the threaded expansion hole communicates with the at least one slit, and further wherein advancement of the expansion bolt within the threaded expansion hole results in incremental controlled lateral expansion of the longitudinal axis, whereby to secure the prosthesis within the cavity by means of a press-fit with the surrounding bone.