A prosthetic joint has a head member with a load-bearing surface, and a bearing member with a concave bearing surface oriented and configured such that during articulation of the prosthetic joint the load-bearing surface engages the concave bearing surface along an annular intermediate surface portion located between first and second ends of the bearing member and spaced from each of the first and second ends. The configuration of the bearing surface provides clearance between the head member and the bearing surface along portions of the bearing surface lying between the annular intermediate surface portion and each end of the bearing member to assure engagement of the load-bearing surface at the annular intermediate surface portion. An opening passes through the bearing member at the first end of the bearing member and communicates with the concave bearing surface.