Influence of a novel radiopacifier (nano-sized strontia particles) on in vitro properties of a PMMA bone cement for use in total joint replacements

In literature reports on strontia-containing PMMA bone cements, the strontia was combined with another material, micron-sized particles were used and in vitro fatigue data are sparse. The present report is on the in vitro characterisation of a strontia-containing PMMA bone cement in which nano-sized strontia particles that were not combined with any other material were used (NANOSRO cement). Compared to the control cement (a commercially-based cement brand with the same composition as that of NANOSRO cement, except that the radiopacifier was BaSO4), NANOSRO cement had significantly higher radiopacity, lower polymerisation rate at 37°C and longer fatigue life. With regard to setting time, maximum exotherm temperature and compressive strength, the values for both cements were within the limits stipulated in the relevant testing standards. These results suggest that NANOSRO cement has promise for use in anchoring total joint replacements and, therefore, should be studied further.