Structural degradation of acrylic bone cements due to in vivo and simulated aging

Acrylic bone cement is the primary load‐bearing material used for the attachment of orthopedic devices to adjoining bone. Degradation of acrylic‐based cements in vivo results in a loss of structural integrity of the bone‐cement‐prosthesis interface and limits the longevity of cemented orthopedic implants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of in vivo aging on the structure of the acrylic bone cement and to develop an in vitro artificial aging protocol that mimics the observed degradation. Three sets of retrievals are examined in this study: Palacos® brand cement retrieved from hip replacements, and Simplex® brand cement retrieved from both hip and knee replacement surgeries. In vitro aging is performed using oxidative and acidic environments on three acrylic‐based cements: Palacos®, Simplex®, and CORE®. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are used to examine the evolution of molecular weight and chemical species within the acrylic cements due to both in vivo and simulated aging. GPC analysis indicates that molecular weight is degraded in the hip retrievals but not in the knee retrievals. Artificial aging in an oxidative environment best reproduces this degradation mechanism. FTIR analysis indicates that there exists a chemical evolution within the cement due to in vivo and in vitro aging. These findings are consistent with scission‐based degradation schemes in the cement. Based on the results of this study, a pathway for structural degradation of acrylic bone cement is proposed. The findings from this investigation have broad applicability to acrylic‐based cements and may provide guidance for the development of new bone cements that resist degradation in the body. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 65A: 126–135, 2003