A prosthetic component is configured to have intentional interruptions in an articulating face thereof. The intentional interruptions are configured to yield an optimum contact area or 
bearing surface, particularly with regard to low wear and greater 
lubricity through the application of 
lubrication and 
contact mechanics theory for the particular prosthetic component. Such optimization is applied to a wide range of prosthetic component sizes of the particular prosthetic component. The optimum range of percentage area of relief or interruptions, defined as a percentage of a baseline uninterrupted 
bearing surface area to be removed by the features of the interrupted 
bearing surface configuration is from 0.3% to 73.7% for hard-on-hard bearing components and from 5.7% to 83.2% for 
polyethylene-on-hard bearing components. The range for both hard-on-hard and 
polyethylene-on-hard implants translates to a relieved area 
ranging from 0.3% to 31.9% of the area of the entire articulating surface, depending on the size of the 
implant. For both hard-on-hard and 
polyethylene-on-hard bearing combinations, optimally decreasing the contact area or bearing surface by interruptions in the articulating surfaces will allow for the benefits of larger 
diameter prosthetic components with an increased 
range of motion and decreased potential for 
dislocation, and the low frictional torques and lower wear of smaller 
diameter components.