Iesaka K, Jaffe W L, Jones C M, Kummer F J
Musculoskeletal Research Center, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York 10003, USA.
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005 Sep;87(9):1298-302. 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.
