A review of improvements in acrylic bone cements

Total hip replacement involves the use of two components, an acetabular cup usually made from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and a femoral stem from a metal alloy such as stainless steel, cobalt-chrome or titanium. The acetabular cup is fixed to the acetabulum and the metal stem is implanted into the femoral cavity with or without a bone cement. The bone cements act as a grouting agent which also aids in the immediate immobilization of the prosthesis in a joint replacement surgery. The properties, improvements and methods of acrylic bone cement mixing are discussed.