Effect of cement fill ratio in loosening of hip implants.

Abstract

Femoral loosening is one of the most prevalent causes of revision orthopedic surgeries. Cement mantle thickness has been directly correlated with femoral loosening. If the mantle is too thick, there is an increased risk of radiolucent lines and inconsistent densities. Also, the more bone that is reamed out during the procedure can lead to instability, especially if the quality of the bone is compromised due to osteoporosis. Too thin of a mantle can lead to a higher probability for cement fracture, loosening the prosthetic even further. This study has shown that there is an ideal thickness range between 2 to 5 mm that should be kept. From radiographic images one can measure the thickness of the cement mantle showing the loosening characteristics.