A spacing device for supporting a joint adjacent to diseased bone or missing bone tissue, comprising a support piece and a semi-resilient pad. The pad is shaped to cradle and support the healthy bone joint. The reverse side of the pad is fixedly connected to one end of the support piece. The other end of the support piece is shaped to straddle healthy tissue adjacent the damaged area, such as the ilium when supporting a hip joint and is to be fixedly connected to the adjacent healthy tissue, using a suitable mechanism, such as biocompatible Steinman pins. Diseased, damaged, or necrotic tissue can be removed without requiring removal of the natural bone joint. Because the undamaged bone joint is not replaced, the problems commonly experienced during and following bone joint replacement are avoided. In particular, blood loss during surgery, surgical cost, surgical time, and rehabilitation of the patient after surgery is reduced. The method of implanting the spacer for supporting a bone joint includes the steps of exposing the joint; curetting damaged tissue from the bone; selecting an appropriately sized spacer for the joint; inserting the spacer into position adjacent healthy bone tissue and the joint; seating the spacer in an appropriate position; and fixedly securing the spacer in the position.