Abstract: The failure of the bone cement (PMMA) is the most prominent scenario, in a cemented total hip arthroplasty and an eventual implant loosening. Among the many factors influencing the long-term stability of cemented hip prostheses, the interface between the implant and bone cement is considered to be one of the most susceptible to failure. Implant surface roughness is an important parameter affecting the fracture behavior of the implant–cement interface. This study investigated the influence of implant surface roughness on the resistance of the implant–cement interface. Mechanical fixation at the implant–cement interface was evaluated in vitro using shear loading with stainless steel rods with different surface roughness preparations. Increasing surface roughness improved the mechanical properties at the implant–cement interface. Therefore, it increases the long-term stability of the hip prostheses assembly.

Keywords: Bone cement, Hip prostheses, Roughness, Mechanical properties, Shear strength.