The three interfaces

Abstract

In this chapter an overview of the experimentally applied research on the three interface characteristics of bone cement is given. With regard to the polymer-monomer interface, in addition to prechilling and vacuum mixing, pre-pressurisation of cement after mixing has been shown to enhance the homogeneity and the composite strength of bone cement. The influence of vacuum on shrinkage is discussed and underlined by experimental findings. The processing of bone cement under vacuum is considered as a milestone not so much for the strengthening of the material but for the revascularisation process and the bond of bone cement to the metal to ensure equal load transmission. The systematic histomorphological work on animal experiments and human retrieval analysis is presented and the important principle of a viable bone-to-cement interface is outlined. © 2005 Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg.