English Medical Medical: Instruments

I do not understand this sentence (especially word "crimp" in this context).

Total hip prosthesis

The inferior hook should be crimped once only. Reverse bending of the hook will reduce its fatigue strength and may cause failure under load. Severe bending and repeated or reverse bending of the superior plates (if present) must be avoided as this will reduce their fatigue strength and may cause failure under load.


The acetabular shell is hemispherical dome with two iliac bone plates and an acetabular notch hook. The shells are side specific, based upon the angulation of the iliac bone plates and are available with and without a hydroxylapatite surface treatment on the external surfaces of the device.