Methymethacrylate cement: its curing temperature and effect on articular cartilage.

The increasing use of methylmethacrylate in orthopedic surgery makes it desirable to determine whether the curing temperature of methylmethacrylate is high enough to cause bone necrosis and whether methylmethacrylate damages articular cartilage. Studies in dogs showed that methylmethacrylate plut temperatures ranged from 95 to 107degrees C and that temperatures at the cement-bone interface ranged from 50 to 95degrees. Curing temperatures therefore are high enough to cause necrosis of bone. Other studies revealed no harmful action of methylmethacrylate on articular cartilage. Fractures stabilized with methylmethacrylate can therefore be expected to heal provided the normal criteria of fracture management are fulfilled.