The Effect of Polymethylmethacrylate Bone Cement Vibration on the Bone-Cement Interface

Authors

A. M. C. Thomas, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham
D. J. W. McMinn, The Royal Orthopaedic Hosptial, Birmingham
M. Haddaway, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital
I. W. McCall, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

Abstract

Low frequency vibration of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement reduces the viscosity of the cement by shear thinning. The effect of this low frequency vibration on the bone-cement interface was studied using microfocal radiography (MFR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Effects were studied in-vitro and in-vivo. In-vitro, samples of Palacos low viscosity PMMA were placed on blocks of Kiel bone and vibrated. MFR and SEM demonstrated an improvement in the appearance of the bone-cement interface. In-vivo, PMMA was injected into the upper tibia of the dog. An assessment of the effect of high and low pressure injection, and the effect of added low frequency vibration of the cement was made. The effect on cement penetration was studied using MFR and SEM. It was found that vibration produced an improved bone-cement interface compared to low pressure injection, and an interface comparable to that obtained with high pressure injection.

Recommended Citation

Thomas, A. M. C.; McMinn, D. J. W.; Haddaway, M.; and McCall, I. W. (1992) "The Effect of Polymethylmethacrylate Bone Cement Vibration on the Bone-Cement Interface," Cells and Materials: Vol. 2: No. 2, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cellsandmaterials/vol2/iss2/7