A flexible acetabular cup is provided which has an inner bearing surface
which comprises a substantially part-spherical portion and two
independent arms projecting therefrom. The arms form a separation or
opening in the rim of the cup with the external surface of the cup being
shaped to cause the independent arms to be pre-stressed towards each
other when the cup is inserted in place in a pre-prepared acetabular
socket. One way of accomplishing this is to form the cup with the arms
bowed outwardly at the time of manufacture.