A longilineal member, which may serve as a handle, and may be formed of a synthetic or other relatively soft material, is designed to engage the threaded hole of an acetabular cup, for the manipulation of the cup during surgery. A force distribution element, shaped to conform to the inner curved surface of the cup is trapped between the cup and the longilineal member so as to reduce the forces on the threaded portion of the longilineal member during such manipulations, so as to avert the risk of the thread stripping.