| abstract |
An orthopedic implant (40) having diffusion-hardened surfaces employed at inner and outer load-bearing surfaces. Preferably, the orthopedic implant is a bipolar hip prosthetic device and system where a coating of oxidized zirconium is formed at the articulating, load-bearing surface of the acetabular component (41) and at the articulating, load-bearing surface of the femoral head (43). The acetabular component has a polymeric cup (42), made from a bio-compatible material, such as UHMWPE. |