FE analysis of the behaviour of microcracks in the cement mantle of reconstructed acetabulum in the total hip prosthesis

Cracking of cement mantle of joint arthoplasties is one possible factor in the loosening of cemented replacements. The analysis of the fracture behaviour of cement in such case can be an effective means being able to contribute to the prediction of the lifespan of the various types of cemented prostheses. In this study, the three-dimensional finite element method was used to analyse the fracture behaviour of cement of reconstructed acetabulum by computing the stress intensity factor along the crack front. The obtained results show that the risk of crack propagation by opening effect is more important than the sliding and the tearing ones when the crack is located at the free edge of the cement mantle. The sliding effect is dominant when the crack is inclined at 45 degrees from the free edge of the cement mantle. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.