Functional interface micromechanics of 11 en-bloc retrieved cemented femoral hip replacements

Background and purpose Despite the longstanding use of micromotion as a measure of implant stability direct measurement of the micromechanics of implant/bone interfaces from en bloc human retrievals has not been performed. The purpose of this study was to determine the stem-cement and cement-bone micromechanics of functionally loaded en-bloc retrieved cemented femoral hip components. Methods 11 fresh frozen proximal femurs with cemented implants were retrieved at autopsy. Specimens were sectioned transversely into 10-mm slabs and fixed to a loading device where functional torsional loads were applied to the stem. A digital image correlation technique was used to document micromotions at stem-cement and cement-bone interfaces during loading. Results There was a wide range of responses with stem-cement micromotions ranging from 0.0006 mm to 0.83 mm (mean 0.17 mm SD 0.29) and cement-bone micromotions ranging from 0.0022 mm to 0.73 mm (mean 0.092 mm SD 0.22). There was a strong (linear-log) inverse correlation between apposition fraction and micromotion at the stem-cement interface (r² 0.71 p < 0.001). There was a strong inverse log-log correlation between apposition fraction at the cement-bone interface and micromotion (r r² 0.85 p < 0.001). Components that were radiographically well-fixed had a relatively narrow range of micromotions at the stem-cement (0.00060.057 mm) and cement-bone (0.00220.029 mm) interfaces. Interpretatation Minimizing gaps at the stem-cement interface and encouraging bony apposition at the cement-bone interface would be clinically desirable. The cement-bone interface does not act as a bonded interface in actual use even in radiographically well-fixed components. Rather the interface is quite compliant with sliding and opening motions between the cement and bone surfaces. Copyright: