Effect of crosslinking agents on poly(ethylmethacrylate) bone cements

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Aseptic loosening of cemented joint prostheses is often caused by mechanical failure of acrylic bone cement.
• Poly(methylmethacrylate) bone cements have disadvantages, prompting research into alternatives.
• Poly(ethylmethacrylate)-n-butylmethacrylate cement offers lower polymerization exotherm and monomer extractibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of incorporating crosslinking agents to improve the mechanical performance of poly(ethylmethacrylate) bone cement.
• To evaluate different bifunctional dimethacrylate crosslinking agents with varying chain lengths and flexibility.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of poly(ethylmethacrylate) bone cements with three different crosslinking agents.
• Assessment of setting time, polymerization exotherm, tensile strength, modulus, and strain at maximum stress.

Main Results:

• Crosslinking agents decreased setting time.
• Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (n=400) reduced polymerization exotherm.
• Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate incorporation increased tensile strength and modulus, but decreased strain at maximum stress.
• Polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (n=400) did not significantly improve mechanical properties.

Conclusions:

• Crosslinking poly(ethylmethacrylate) bone cement with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate enhances mechanical properties like tensile strength and modulus.
• The choice of crosslinking agent is critical; flexibility and crosslinking density influence performance.
• Further development of poly(ethylmethacrylate) based bone cements with optimized crosslinking may offer improved longevity for joint prostheses.