[Surface pretreatment of endoprostheses by silica/silane to optimise the hydrolytic stability between bone cement and metal. Total hip and knee arthroplasty].

Background: The aseptic loosening of cemented total hip and knee arthroplasties is still an unsolved problem. In this regard, the hydrolytic resistance in the metal-to-bone cement interface is of major importance.

Methods: Cemented pretreated femur stems and tibia components coated by means of a silica/silane interlayer system were dynamically loaded with the help of a hip and knee simulator similar to DIN ISO Norm. After loading, the components were microscopically analysed concerning both debonding in the metal-to-bone cement interface and cement mantle defects. These data were matched with uncoated components. Unloaded coated and uncoated femur and tibia components acted as controls.

Results: Compared with uncoated components, the pretreated and coated ones yielded a significant reduction in cement defects as well as of debonding in the metal-to-bone cement interface.

Conclusion: Using the silica/silane interlayer system for cemented femur and tibia components, hydrolytic debonding in the metal-to-bone cement interface with following cement mantle failure can be reduced. This could help increase the long-term stability of the metal-to-bone cement compound, with decreased aseptic loosening.