Factors affecting flexural strength in cement within cement revisions

J Arthroplasty. 2011 Dec;26(8):1540-8. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2011.01.013. Epub 2011 Mar 16.

Abstract

Cement within cement revisions provide substantial benefits for conventional revision yet remains uncommon possibly because of the perceived weakness of the cement-cement interface. This study investigated the flexural strength of beams composed of 2 different cements, exploring the factors of pore size, fracture location, viscosity, and the surface roughness of the interface. We found no significant difference when comparing combinations of different cements (P = .30), varying pore sizes (P = .13), or surface roughness (P = .39). Differences in fracture locations and viscosity combinations approached statistical significance (P = .08 and .05, respectively). Our findings suggest strong bonding between cements at the interface, with other factors being more important causes of weakness. Thus, we recommend that the strength of the cement-cement interface should not be a factor when considering such revisions.

MeSH terms

  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / instrumentation*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Cements*
  • Materials Testing / methods*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate
  • Reoperation
  • Stress, Mechanical*
  • Surface Properties
  • Tensile Strength*
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Bone Cements
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate