Ageing and moisture uptake in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cements

Nishio Ayre, Wayne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2405-1876, Denyer, Stephen P. and Evans, Samuel L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3664-2569 2014. Ageing and moisture uptake in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cements. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 32 , pp. 76-88. 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.12.010

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Abstract

Bone cements are extensively employed in orthopaedics for joint arthroplasty, however implant failure in the form of aseptic loosening is known to occur after long-term use. The exact mechanism causing this is not well understood, however it is thought to arise from a combination of fatigue and chemical degradation resulting from the hostile in vivo environment. In this study, two commercial bone cements were aged in an isotonic fluid at physiological temperatures and changes in moisture uptake, microstructure and mechanical and fatigue properties were studied. Initial penetration of water into the cement followed Fickian diffusion and was thought to be caused by vacancies created by leaching monomer. An increase in weight of approximately 2% was experienced after 30 days ageing and was accompanied by hydrolysis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in the outermost layers of the cement. This molecular change and the plasticising effect of water resulted in reduced mechanical and fatigue properties over time. Cement ageing is therefore thought to be a key contributor in the long-term failure of cemented joint replacements. The results from this study have highlighted the need to develop cements capable of withstanding long-term degradation and for more accurate test methods, which fully account for physiological ageing.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Pharmacy Engineering Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Systems At Cardiff (CAMSAC)
Subjects:	R Medicine > RD Surgery T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Bone cement; Mechanical properties; Fatigue; Diffusion; Biodegradation
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1751-6161
Funders:	Arthritis Research UK
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance:	10 December 2013
Last Modified:	22 Mar 2024 02:08
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/56762

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