Optimizing the femoral component cement mantle in total hip arthroplasty.

Aseptic loosening is a common cause of long-term failure of cemented femoral components in hip arthroplasty. Initiation of aseptic loosening has been associated with suboptimal cement mantle thickness and uniformity with the resultant progressive development of detrimental cement mantle defects. Long-term success is highly dependent on maintaining and protecting the integrity of the cement mantle and its interfaces primarily by decreasing cement mantle stresses. High cement stresses that initiate debonding and cement fracture can be controlled and minimized through the use of various surgical techniques that assist in creating an optimally thick, symmetric, and homogeneous cement mantle.