Secure and reliable anchoring of the endoprosthesis in the bone guarantees a long life span and good functionality for the prosthesis. Cement-free anchoring of prostheses is usually preferable for younger patients, whereas fixation with bone cement is most common for older patients.
The manufacturing process for bone cement is complicated and requires high precision. Even the slightest deviations in the cement quality, cement mixture and application change the properties and have a significant impact on the mechanical stability of the prosthesis.
Clinical observations document service life with PALACOS®
Decades of trials in Scandinavia show how important cement quality is for service life. In the so-called 'Sweden study', more than 200,000 first implantations of artificial joints were recorded from 1976 onwards. 1 The parameters registered included the bone cement used. The lowest risk of revisions was found when PALACOS® was used both with, and without an antibiotic (Gentamicin). Compared with other bone cements, the risk of loosening or infection was up to 50% lower with PALACOS® cement.1 The Norwegian Hip Register also shows a decisive effect of cement quality on the service life.2
Antibiotics: Prophylaxis with a therapeutic effect
Since the 1970s, the addition of Gentamicin to PALACOS® has been an approach proven in practice to protect against infections in joint replacement operations. The rate of infections dropped from 7% to less than 1%.3 “The local application in bone cement can achieve a far higher level of effectiveness in the region of the wound than the administration of antibiotics in tablet form or by injection”, Klaus-Dieter K
