Chemistry, Properties and Orthopaedic Applications of Acrylic Cements

✍ Scribed by Pearson, Geoffrey P. ;Jones, David F.

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1978
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 333 KB
• Volume: 10
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0007-1641
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.4980100408

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The early development and use of acrylic cement in orthopaedic surgery has been reviewed by Charnley. This paper is an attempt to describe the chemical background to the use of acrylics as bone cements with particular reference to the well recognised rise in temperature during the setting of the cement, a phenomenon of concern to some surgeons but easily explained if not overcome by classical reaction kinetics. The influence of the operating theatre temperature on the speed of setting is discussed. The fears that some surgeons may have that the incorporation of barium sulphate as a radio‐opacifier into the cement could reduce the compressive strength of the latter are allayed. The mechanical properties of the set cement are discussed and some criticism is levied at the various International Standards proposed for some cements. The paper concludes by reviewing some of the work carried out at Bradford in an attempt to produce modified cements designed to overcome some of the shortcomings of the existing materials.