Acetabular options

Cemented acetabular options have failed anywhere between 10% and 23% over the years and have not improved with increasing cement technology. Cementless technology, however, has basically stopped the problems of prosthesis loosening; however, wear has become a major concern. With present day cement techniques, no radiolucent lines, and a compression-molded polyethylene acetabular component, there is less than a 1% failure rate. The question is, however, whether cementing is technically feasible. Even for experienced surgeons, there is at least a 10% chance of a radiolucent line. Therefore, clinicians should work to develop better bearing surfaces so that cementless technology can be used extensively. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.