The use of complementary non-destructive evaluation methods to evaluate the integrity of the cement—bone interface

Abstract

The integrity of the cement-bone interface is vital to the long-term stability of cemented hip arthroplasty. Most of the previous studies investigating the interface have been confined to the continuum level, neglecting the effects of microstructure. Microscopic damage at the interface may eventually lead to macroscopic loosening of the implant. However, as the strength of the interface depends on the interlock of the cement with bone and because the properties of cancellous bone depend on its microstructure, the study of the behaviour of the interface at the microstructural level may help to gain an understanding of the factors governing initiation of loosening. In this study, two complementary non-destructive methods, acoustic emission (AE) and computed tomography (CT), have been implemented to study the initiation and progression of damage of an analogue cement-bone interface sample under four-point bending. Early failure was detected, localized, and characterized using AE. CT images of the sample before and after loading were used to visualize damage in three dimensions. Damage initiated at the interface and was found to be related to stress-raising microstructural features in the cement. These were caused by irregularities in the geometry of the bone analogue and recesses and notches formed by the flow of cement.

Metal-backedversusall-polyethylene unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

“… 13 AE-detected microdamage has been verified using micro-CT (µCT). 13 To our knowledge, AE has not previously been used to validate a FEM. Digital image correlation (DIC) is a non-destructive technique which measures surface strain.…”

“…Acoustic emission (AE) can measure failure initiated inside a solid by detecting sound waves produced as material undergoes post-elastic deformation from plasticity or damage. 13 During plasticity, dislocation movement and cracking releases elastic waves of energy detectable on the material’s surface by piezoelectric sensors in real time. 13 AE-detected microdamage has been verified using micro-CT (µCT).…”

“… 13 During plasticity, dislocation movement and cracking releases elastic waves of energy detectable on the material’s surface by piezoelectric sensors in real time. 13 AE-detected microdamage has been verified using micro-CT (µCT). 13 To our knowledge, AE has not previously been used to validate a FEM.…”

A parametric finite element analysis of the compacted bone–cement interface following balloon kyphoplasty

“…The bone-cement interface has been extensively examined during studies investigating the longevity of hip arthroplasty procedures. [31][32][33][34][35][36][37] These studies used detailed micro-mechanical FE models to study the effect of cement shrinkage, friction, bone damage and fatigue loading on local stress levels within the interface region. These studies also utilised digital image correlation techniques during experimental work to examine the tensile and shear properties of bone-cement composites.…”