Circulating blood diminishes cement penetration into cancellous bone. In vivo studies of 21 arthrotic femoral heads.

We compared the penetration depth into cancellous bone when pressurizing cement at predetermined pressure levels, and at different times after cement mixing, in 21 arthrotic femoral heads during total hip replacement. To determine the influence of circulating blood on cement penetration, cement was injected into holes drilled into the femoral head before and after osteotomy of the femoral neck. The penetration of cement increased on the average 100 percent in the absence of circulation.