Reduction in cement-bone interface shear strength between primary and revision arthroplasty

This study quantified changes in the cement-bone interface shear strength between primary and first- and second-revision arthroplasties as a function of mechanical interlock between the cement and bone. There were 128 segments obtained from four pairs of fresh human femora that were prepared sequentially as for primary and first and second revisions, taking care to maintain original canal morphology. Cement was pressurized into the cavity of the anatomic specimens, and the maximum interface shear strength between the cement plug and the bone was experimentally determined for each revision. First-revision interface shear strength was reduced to 20.6% of primary strength, and second revision strength to 6.8% of primary strength.