A three-dimensional non-linear finite element study of the effect of cement-prosthesis debonding in cemented femoral total hip components

A three-dimensional non-linear finite element analysis of a cemented femoral component in which the component was partially debonded from the cement mantle was used to assess the effects of debonding on stresses in the cement. Three cases of partial cement-metal debonding were modelled with debonding of the proximal portion of the implant down to a horizontal plane which was 35, 62.5, or 82.5 mm below the prosthesis collar. Each situation was studied under loads simulating both gait and stairclimbing. Also, complete debonding between the implant and the surrounding cement mantle was modeled for loads simulating gait. Under stair climbing loads with partial cement-metal debonding, hoop stresses of 13-18 MPa were observed in the cement at the cement-metal interface at the proximal postero-medial corner of the implant. Similarly, in stair climbing, the maximum principal stresses in the cement were also adjacent to the proximal postero-medial region of the implant. These stresses were compressive and increased from 15 MPa with fully bonded interfaces to 48 MPa with debonding down to 82.5 mm below the prosthesis collar. Under gait loads, complete debonding caused high compressive stresses up to 34.9 MPa in the cement distal to the prosthesis tip. Thus, cement failure subsequent to prosthesis debonding is likely in the proximal region in a partially debonded implant due to stair climbing loads and is likely below the prosthesis tip in a fully debonded implant due to gait loading.