Acetabular component

1. An acetabular prosthesis, comprising:

an acetabular shell;

an acetabular articulating component having a partial spherical shape with an inner surface forming a partial spherical cavity adapted to receive a femoral ball, the articulating component being connectable to the shell; and

an acetabular constraining component connectable to the articulating component and having a ring shape body with two extensions extending outwardly from the body, the extensions having a triangular cross section, wherein said acetabular articulating component further comprises a plurality of extensions, each of which comprise a stepped outer surface, and wherein each of said extensions of said acetabular constraining component further comprise:

an outer surface that slopes inwardly toward a center of the body;

two end walls that are sloped and form an obtuse angle with the body; and

a stepped inner surface comprised of three vertical surfaces and two horizontal surfaces that defines a stepped configuration on said inner surface, said stepped inner surface being adapted to mate with said stepped outer surface.

2. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the extensions have an outer surface that slopes inwardly toward a center of the body.

3. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 2 wherein the outer surface has a rounded edge.

4. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 3 wherein the extensions have two end walls that are sloped and form an obtuse angle with the body.

5. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the ring shape body has a shoulder that extends inwardly toward a center of the body; the shoulder being adapted to engage and lock with an outer surface of the articulating component.

6. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the extensions have an inner surface that includes at least one step.

7. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 6 wherein the step is adapted to seat against the articulating component.

8. An acetabular component, comprising:

an acetabular articulating component having a spherical shape and an inner surface forming at least a partial spherical cavity adapted to receive a femoral ball; and

an acetabular constraining component connected to the articulating component for locking the femoral ball within the spherical cavity, the constraining component having a circular body and two extensions and two cutouts, wherein the extensions project outwardly from the body and inwardly toward a center of the body, wherein said acetabular articulating component further comprises a plurality of extensions, each of which comprise a stepped outer surface, and wherein each of said extensions of said acetabular constraining component further comprise:

an outer surface that slopes inwardly toward a center of the body;

two end walls that are sloped and form an obtuse angle with the body; and

a stepped inner surface comprised of three vertical surfaces and two horizontal surfaces that defines a stepped configuration on said inner surface, said stepped inner surface being adapted to mate with said stepped outer surface.

9. The acetabular component of claim 8 wherein each extension has an outer surface that slopes inwardly toward the center.

10. The acetabular component of claim 9 wherein each extension has two end surfaces that are sloped and form an obtuse angle with the circular body.

11. The acetabular component of claim 10 wherein each extension has an inner surface oppositely disposed from the outer surface, the inner surface including at least one terrace.

12. The acetabular component of claim 11 wherein the cutouts are oppositely disposed and the extensions are oppositely disposed.

13. The acetabular component of claim 8 wherein each extension has a triangular cross sectional shape.

14. The acetabular component of claim 8 further including a locking mechanism that snappingly connects the constraining component to the articulating component.

15. The acetabular component of claim 14 wherein the locking mechanism includes a shoulder that engages a recess.

16. An acetabular prosthesis adapted to replace a portion of a natural acetabulum, the prosthesis comprising:

an acetabular shell;

an acetabular insert connectable to the shell and having an inner surface that forms a partial spherical cavity to articulate with a femoral ball; and

a constraining component connectable to the insert, the constraining component having a circular body portion with at least one extension extending outwardly from the body portion, wherein the extension has an outer surface that extends inwardly toward a center of the circular body portion, wherein said acetabular articulating component further comprises a plurality of extensions, each of which comprise a stepped outer surface, and wherein each of said extensions of said acetabular constraining component further comprise:

an outer surface that slopes inwardly toward a center of the body;

two end walls that are sloped and form an obtuse angle with the body; and

a stepped inner surface comprised of three vertical surfaces and two horizontal surfaces that defines a stepped configuration on said inner surface, said stepped inner surface being adapted to mate with said stepped outer surface.

17. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 16 wherein the extension has at least one rounded edge.

18. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 17 wherein the insert includes a base portion with at least one extension extending downwardly from the base portion, and the extension on the constraining component includes a stepped inner surface adapted to engage the extension on the insert.

19. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 18 wherein the extension on the constraining component includes a stepped surface.

20. The acetabular prosthesis of claim 16 wherein the extension has two end surfaces that taper inwardly toward each other.