The effects of fluid penetration and interfacial porosity on the fixation of cemented femoral components

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume Vol. 87; no. 9; pp. 1298 - 1302
• Main Authors: LESAKA, K, JAFFE, W. L, JONES, C. M, KUMMER, F. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery 01-09-2005; British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery
• Edition: British volume
• Subjects: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Cements; Cementation; Humans; Materials Testing - methods; Medical sciences; Orthopedic surgery; Porosity; Prosthesis Failure; Shear Strength; Sodium Chloride; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Temperature; Femur; Orthopedic surgery; Fixation; Penetration; Treatment; Cement; Bone; Porosity
• ISSN: 0301-620X; 2049-4394; 2044-5377; 2049-4408
• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.87b9.15404

We have investigated the role of the penetration of saline on the shear strength of the cement-stem interface for stems inserted at room temperature and those preheated to 37 degrees C using a variety of commercial bone cements. Immersion in saline for two weeks at 37 degrees C reduced interfacial strength by 56% to 88% after insertion at room temperature and by 28% to 49% after preheating of the stem. The reduction in porosity as a result of preheating ranged from 71% to 100%. Increased porosity correlated with a reduction in shear strength after immersion in saline (r = 0.839, p < 0.01) indicating that interfacial porosity may act as a fluid conduit.