KEY-PROPERTIES AND RECENT ADVANCES IN BONE CEMENTS TECHNOLOGY

摘要

At the beginning of the 60's decade Sir John Charnley presented the preliminary results of a new method for bone prosthesis fixation based on the load distribution between the bone and the implant by a filling compound called bone cement which is basically autopolymerizable PMMA. This technique has been accepted worldwide in the fixation of knee and hip prosthesis g ving excellent results, but in some cases, revisions and prosthesis replacement are required with the corresponding social and economical costs. The main advantages of bone cemented prosthesis rely on the excellent primary fixation between bone and implant and, consequently, in a faster patient recuperation. It is also a low damaging and facile technique to be applied as the bone cements are easily moulded and well adapted to bone complex cavities. However, the technique presents disadvantages such as long-term prosthesis loosening as a consequence of the absence of secondary fixation of the cement. Moreover, the polymerization reaction of methyl methacrylate, MMA, is highly exothermic, and can provoke cellular necrosis in the surrounding tissues. It las also to be considered the toxicity of the aromatic tertiary amine used in these formulations to activate the initiation of the polymerization process.