Effect of shock wave treatment on femoral prosthesis and cement removal

The present study has examined the efficacy of shock wave treatment to aid in the removal of bone cement in human cadaver femora after femoral prosthesis implantation. The shock waves were applied to the specimens at four points, in the circumference 90 degrees apart, at three levels. Four hundred shocks were applied at each point with intensity level of 25 kV. Extraction time of the bone cement was significantly (p < 0.002) faster in the treated versus untreated control groups. The average extraction time was decreased by 32%. Shock wave treatment also reduced the amount of residual cement inside the bone surface by an average of 55% (p < 0.006). The number of shocks needed to remove the prosthesis from bone cement also decreased significantly (p < 0.001) after shock wave treatment.