Thermal effects of cement mantle thickness for hip resurfacing

Abstract

Hybrid hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA), with uncemented acetabular and cemented femoral fixation is increasingly popular as an alternative to total hip replacement. There is concern about femoral neck fractures and long term survival has not yet been demonstrated. Thermal necrosis may be an important factor for neck fracture and will affect the viability of the femoral bone. This cadaveric study investigated the thermal effect of thick (1.5mm, n=3) and thin (0.5mm, n=3) cement mantles; five thermocouples were used to record temperature at the femoral bone/cement interface during HRA. The maximum recorded temperatures were significantly higher when a thick cement mantle is used (45.4 C), compared to a thin cement mantle (32.7 C). In order to reduce the potential for thermal necrosis, the thin cement mantle technique is recommended.