Method for producing a ceramic acetabulum

A method for producing a prosthetic hip acetabulum, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a ceramic cup (1) having a concave inner receiving face (3), having a convex outer anchoring face (2) designed to be anchored in an acetabular cavity of a pelvis of a patient, and having an outer annular receiving structure (6),
• b) providing an installation and orientation insert (7) having an assembly structure (8) on which an impactor can be removably fixed, and having a peripheral annular fixing structure (10) designed to cooperate with a receiving face (9) of the outer annular receiving structure (6) by engaging around the outer annular receiving structure (6), wherein the peripheral annular fixing structure (10) has an outer diameter which is not greater than an outer diameter of a substantially hemispherical surface (S1) defined by the ceramic cup (1), wherein the peripheral annular fixing structure (10) has a C-shaped cross-section which defines a connecting face (11) which is directed radially inwardly, and wherein the receiving face (9) of the outer annular receiving structure (6) is directed radially outwardly,
• c) heating the installation and orientation insert (7) in order to increase the dimensions thereof,
• d) engaging the peripheral annular fixing structure (10) around the receiving face (9) of the outer annular receiving structure (6), with the installation and orientation insert (7) not extending beyond the convex outer anchoring surface (2),
• e) bringing the installation and orientation insert (7) back to room temperature in order to reduce the dimensions thereof, so as to achieve a radial clamping of the peripheral annular fixing structure (10) on the outer annular receiving structure (6),
• wherein the outer annular receiving structure (6) comprises a continuous or interrupted peripheral radial shoulder (d) of an annular edge (4), and the receiving face (9) of the outer annular receiving structure (6) has a locking groove (14, 16) or a locking rib (17).