The effect of moisture absorption on the fatigue crack propagation resistance of acrylic bone cement.

In vivo, bone cement is subject to cyclic loading in a fluid environment. However, little is known about the effect of moisture absorption on the fatigue crack propagation resistance of bone cement. The effect of moisture absorption at 37 degrees C on the fatigue crack propagation resistance of a common bone cement (Endurance, DePuy, Orthopaedics, Inc.) was examined. Preliminary fracture toughness tests were conducted on disk-shaped, vacuum-mixed cement specimens (compact tension type) that were cyclically pre-cracked. Plain-strain fracture toughness K(IC) (MPa square root(m)) was determined. To study the effect of moisture absorption four treatment groups, with different soaking periods in Ringer's at 37 degrees C, of Endurance cement were tested. The specimens weights prior to and following soaking showed a significant increase in mean weight for specimens soaked for 8 and 12 weeks. Linear regression analysis of log(da/dN) vs. log (deltaK) was conducted on the combined data in each fatigue test group. Soaking bone cement in Ringer's at 37 degrees C for 8 and 12 weeks lead to an improvement in fatigue crack propagation resistance, that may be related to water sorption that increases polymer chain mobility, with enhanced crack tip blunting. It may be more physiologically relevant to conduct in vitro studies of fatigue and fracture toughness of bone cements following storage in a fluid environment.