Polyethylene liner cementation into fixed acetabular shells

A patient presenting with a secure cementless acetabular component and with femoral head penetration through the polyethylene liner is a common clinical problem. Cementing a new liner into the fixed shell is one option. We evaluated this option in a clinical series of 17 cases and with a preliminary mechanical study. In the 1 clinical failure (5.9%), the failure occurred at the cement-liner interface. The most important variable in optimizing the mechanical strength of the cemented liner construct was adequate preparation of the cement-liner interface. This approach to treating the patient with a fixed cementless shell and a worn polyethylene liner can provide a durable construct with minimal morbidity.