Polyethylene liner cementation into fixed acetabular shells

A patient presenting with a secure cementless acetabular component and with femoral head penetration through the polyethylene liner is a common clinical problem. Cementing a new liner into the fixed shell is one option. We evaluated this option in a clinical series of 17 cases and with a preliminary mechanical study. In the 1 clinical failure (5.9%), the failure occurred at the cement–liner interface. The most important variable in optimizing the mechanical strength of the cemented liner construct was adequate preparation of the cement–liner interface. This approach to treating the patient with a fixed cementless shell and a worn polyethylene liner can provide a durable construct with minimal morbidity. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.