The Influence of Cementing Technique and Blood on the Strength of the Bone-Cement Interface

The shear strength of the femoral bone-cement interface using four current techniques of cement insertion in total hip replacement was compared in paired human and ox femora. Ox bone proved to have mechanical properties comparable to human material, gave reproducible results, and was more readily available. In clean bone, lowering cement viscosity resulted in better bone fixation. When a thin layer of blood was interposed on brushed, washed bone, the interface strength was halved. Lower viscosity cementing techniques in the presence of blood conferred no advantage over cement inserted as thick dough.