Patent ID: 8266780

Claim:
A method for attaching a metal insert to a substrate, the method comprising: providing a substrate that comprises an implantable orthopedic component of nonporous metal; forming a three-dimensional cavity defined by inner walls of the substrate, the cavity having a first dimension along a first axis, the cavity defining an opening to an outer surface of the substrate, the opening at least partially bounded by a ledge and having a second dimension along the first axis, the first dimension greater than the second dimension wherein the inner walls include side walls and a closed end wall, the closed end wall having a surface that faces the opening; forming a porous metal insert having a three-dimensional shape mateable with the cavity and a third dimension along the first axis greater than the second dimension, the porous metal insert having a porous metal outer surface configured to encourage ingrowth of soft tissue; cooling the insert below ambient temperature until the third dimension is equal or smaller than the second dimension; inserting the insert through the opening; and retaining the insert in the cavity by the ledge upon return to ambient temperature wherein the porous metal outer surface of the porous metal insert engages at least the closed end wall of the inner walls of the substrate.