Cementation of polyethylene (PE) liners into well-fixed metal shells has become a popular option during revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) particularly for older and frail patients. Although dramatic results were reported with dual-mobility acetabular components to manage hip instability during revision THA, no study evaluated the fixation strength of the cementation of dual-mobility components into well-fixed metal shells. Eight dual-mobility and eight all-PE components were cemented into a metal shell with a uniform 2- to 3-mm cement mantle. The cemented fixation strength was evaluated using lever-out and torsion testing. The interface at which failure occurred was determined. Lever-out testing showed that dual-mobility components failed at significantly higher maximum moment than the all-PE components. No direct comparison could be performed with torsion testing due to early failure of the all-PE component itself before failure of the cement fixation. However, the maximum moments measured were dramatically higher than the in vivo frictional moments classically reported in THA. In addition, failure was always observed at the metal shell/cement interface whenever it did occur. In conclusion, a dual-mobility acetabular component cemented into a well-fixed metal shell could constitute a biomechanically acceptable alternative to acetabular shell removal or PE liner cementation while simultaneously preventing instability of the THA revision. Clinical studies are warranted.
Copyright © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society.