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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

An Improved Mechanical Testing Method to Assess Bone-implant Anchorage
Published on: February 10, 2014
Improvement of the long-term adhesive strength between bone cement and bone in cemented cup arthroplasty: ex-vivo
T Mumme1, S Gravius, S Andereya
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany. Torsten.Mumme@GMX.de
Introduction:
One of the main causes of cup loosening in cemented total hip replacement is the lack of a hydrolysis stable compound between the hydrophobic bone cement and the hydrophilic acetabular bone stock. Thus, the long-term adhesive strength between bone and bone cement is decreased resulting in premature aseptic loosening. Accordingly, an amphiphilic bonding system was developed to prevent hydrolytic debonding in the interface bone-to-bone cement.
Materials And Methods:
Polyethylene cups were cemented in cadaver sheep hips. The hips were prepared with (n = 10) a multilayer bonding system as well as with an improved monolayer bonding system with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) UV-light hardening. The hips were dynamically loaded (10(6) cycles; 3 Hz; upper/lower load 1,500/200 N) and afterwards turned out with a defined strength to determine the interface compound strength. Dynamically loaded cemented cups without using the bonding system (n = 10) function as a control group.
Results:
The interface adhesive strength improved significantly by a factor of 1.9 (using the multilayer bonding system) compared to the unconditioned ones (P < or = 0.05); for the monolayer bonding system without (with) UV-light hardening the compound strength was 11.9-fold (> or =22.2-fold) higher (P < or = 0.001).
Conclusion:
The bonding system significantly improves the adhesive strength between bone and bone cement in cemented cup arthroplasty.
