Many of you know that a hip prostheses was designed to mimic the ball-and-socket action of your hip joint. Cemented implants are held in place with bone cement. What you probably don't know is back in the late 1800's the first one was designed and forged by a Blacksmith!! Yes, a Blacksmith. While I am unable to show proof positive, the facts are that I have spent untold hours researching this . Consequently, I am almost sure that this is correct. Awhile back I was in a conversation with two doctor friends of mine, both are in the orthopedic field (Bone Specialists).

After our short conversation I forged three of these in my Smithy. (The top one in the picture) (The bottom one in the picture is factory made) I have one, I sent one to Dr. Boone Brackett in Chicago, Illinois and one to Dr. Jack Henry in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Henry, I think, installed the one I gave him in the hip of a friend of mine from Muleshoe, Texas. One Charles Flowers, I think.

There are many advantages to the prosthesis I made from some 1018 mild steel. The biggest ?, you guessed it, rust ! The rust will help it adhere to the bone ! Hence no cement. The proof of this will be when I am able to get Mr. Flowers to Chicago and convince Dr. Brackett to use his knife and look at the surgery that was done by Dr. Henry, I think we will see the rust. This is long but very important to the Medical Field!!!

Thank you,
R.G. Box (Owner of Pecanderosa Forge)