Clinical development and current status: Europe.
This article reviews the development and current status of cemented fixation in total hip replacement in Europe. Key points include the wide country-to-country variation in use of cemented vs. non-cemented fixation and the largely overlooked importance of the choice of bone cement as a factor highly correlated with clinical outcome. Laboratory studies by the authors are also reviewed. Results suggest that the type of acrylic bone cement used affects wear phenomena at the implant/cement interface. Further studies by microcalorimetry suggest that certain aspects of acrylic starting materials (low molecular weight and use of radiation sterilization) affect long-term physico-chemical stability and may thus influence clinical outcomes.
Wirz
Dieter
D
Laboratory for Orthopaedic Biomechanics, University of Basel, Felix Platter-Spital, Burgfelderstrasse 101, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland. dieter.wirz@unibas.ch
Daniels
A U
AU
Göpfert
Beat
B
Morscher
Erwin W
EW
D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000737:chemistry / Q000266:history / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002484:Cementation / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*; D005060:Europe; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008422:Materials Testing; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000266:history / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011474:Prosthesis Design
D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate