The Mechanical Properties of PMMA Bone Cement

Abstract

This chapter describes the mechanical properties of PMMA bone cement, dividing them into two parts — short-term and long-term properties. Short-term properties show that bone cement is weak in tension and strong in compression. Long-term properties (creep, stress relaxation and fatigue) are considered in more detail as they can significantly affect the transmission of load into bone over the expected life of a total hip arthroplasty. The effects of the body environment in which the cement functions, and the design characteristics of the device being implanted, on the function of the bone cement are described. The overall mechanical properties of bone cement are shown to be able to lead to long-term stability of the replacement joint.