Radiopacity and fatigue characterization of a novel acrylic bone cement with sodium fluoride

Acrylic bone cement must provide good radiographic visibility and good long-term mechanical resistance in joint replacements. A new formulation of cement with 6% barium sulfate and 6% sodium fluoride was developed (Fluoride Bone Cement). Barium sulfate is a necessary addition to allow radiographic visibility although it reduces the mechanical strength of the material. Sodium fluoride promotes bone formation. However, its effect on the mechanical behavior is currently unknown while its influence on radiopacity can only be roughly estimated. The aim of this investigation was to establish if the new formulation would be suitable for clinical trials. In this respect, a mechanical (fatigue test) and radiographic (optical density measurements on x-ray films) characterization was performed on a typical commercially available cement with barium sulfate added and on the Fluoride Bone Cement. It was demonstrated that the fluoride cement has a (marginally) superior fatigue strength and comparable radiopacity to commercial radiopaque cements.