Cemented Stems in Total Hip Arthroplasty What is Old and What is New Again?

Cement fixation of the femoral stem in total hip arthroplasty, first popularized in the 1960s following the success of Sir John Charnley's design, remains a prevalent topic in arthroplasty literature today. Though this technique is still widely used among European surgeons, since the 1980s many American surgeons have shifted to the use of cementless, press-fit stems except for particular cases such as those at increased risk for periprosthetic fracture. In this article we review the history and literature regarding the use of cemented stems in total hip arthroplasty in the United States and Europe over the past 70 years.