Fixation strength of an all-metal acetabular component cemented into an acetabular shell: a biomechanical analysis

When an acetabular shell is well fixed but the locking mechanism is compromised, cementing a new liner into the existing acetabular component can provide a simple revision solution. The pull-out and torsional fixation strength of cobalt chromium (CoCr) alloy acetabular components cemented into 3 sizes of titanium alloy acetabular components was tested under conditions of 0 or 2 mm cement mantle at the dome and 2 mm cement with the cemented component in 20 degrees of version with respect to the shell. The lowest mean tensile load to failure was 1500 N, and occurred with no cement at the dome of the 54 mm shell, whereas the greatest load was with 2 mm cement thickness. Smallest mean torque to failure was 43 Nm. Version angle did not substantially change failure load. Although not cyclically loaded, fixation strength of metal liners cemented into shells was comparable to that of commonly used locking mechanisms, suggesting sufficient strength for clinical application.