Removal of a well fixed cemented acetabular component using biomechanical principles.

BACKGROUND: Removal of well fixed components can be a complex problem facing an orthopaedic surgeon during revision hip arthroplasty. As the burden of revision hip surgery increases, techniques have been described to enable safe and reliable removal of well fixed components. Removal of well fixed cemented components requires different considerations to the removal of cemented components. Polymethylmethacrylate bone cement and polyethylene have unique biomechanical properties.
METHOD: We present a step-by-step technique to reliably and safely remove a well fixed cemented acetabular component and underlying cement during revision hip arthroplasty.
RESULTS: This reproducible technique is presented with intra-operative photography and a detailed description of the necessary steps to remove a well fixed cemented acetabular component.
CONCLUSION: Consideration of important underlying biomechanical principles of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement and polyethylene can aid the safe removal of a well fixed cemented acetabular component in revision hip surgery, reducing risk to underlying bone.