Radiographic comparison of cementing techniques in total hip arthroplasty

Using a single prosthetic design, the authors conducted a radiographic comparison of the results of changes in cementing techniques in 58 total hip arthroplasties with respect to the initial postoperative and equivalent follow-up radiographs. The study period, 1975-1982, spanned the advent of cement restrictors, canal preparation, and pressurization techniques. In matched patients, the use of modern cementing techniques and canal preparation led to a significant improvement in the initial postoperative radiographic appearance and subsequent loosening rate of the femoral component, suggesting that these techniques may change the expected rate of late femoral component loosening, based on previous studies done with prepressurization cementing techniques.