An orthopaedic prosthesis includes a curved outer surface configured to
abut a patient's bone when the orthopaedic prosthesis is implanted
therein. The outer surface may or may not be electrically conductive. A
channel is defined in the outer surface and extends from a rim of the
outer surface to a location on the outer surface. One or more electrical
conductors is positioned in the channel and extends outwardly from the
channel at the rim of the outer surface. A switch is positioned at the
first location and is configured to establish an electrical connection
between the electrical conductor and the outer surface and/or another
electrical conductor when the first location of the outer surface
contacts the patient's bone. The switch may be embodied as an end of the
electrical conductor or a more complex switch such as a push-button type
switch.