The present disclosure relates generally to the field of mammalian prosthetics, and more specifically to prostheses for use in total or partial joint replacement, and to a method of use of these prostheses in arthroplasty. Thus, disclosed is a prosthesis for use in hip arthroplasty that comprises an artificial femoral head that includes a head portion constructed totally or partially of a polymeric material, and a connector means designed to connect said head portion in a non-articulating manner to a femoral stem portion. The head portion may be made solely of solid polymeric material or of an outer shell of polymeric material connected in a non-articulating manner to an embedded core. The polymeric material is preferably selected from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or radiation treated UHMWPE having substantially no detectable free radicals. The embedded core comprises, for example, one or more of solid non-polymeric material (e.g., metallic, ceramic, or ceramic-on-metal material), a multiplicity of metallic spokes, a metallic scaffolding, and/or combinations thereof.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of mammalian prosthetics, and more specifically to prostheses for use in total or partial joint replacement, and to a method of use of these prostheses in arthroplasty. Thus, disclosed is a prosthesis for use in hip arthroplasty that comprises an artificial femoral head that includes a head portion constructed totally or partially of a polymeric material, and a connector means designed to connect said head portion in a non-articulating manner to a femoral stem portion. The head portion may be made solely of solid polymeric material or of an outer shell of polymeric material connected in a non-articulating manner to an embedded core. The polymeric material is preferably selected from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or radiation treated UHMWPE having substantially no detectable free radicals. The embedded core comprises, for example, one or more of solid non-polymeric material (e.g., metallic, ceramic, or ceramic-on-metal material), a multiplicity of metallic spokes, a metallic scaffolding, and/or combinations thereof.