Epr Study of Free Radicals in Pmma Bone Cement: A Feasibility Study

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Abstract
To determine the feasibility of using EPR to monitor the molecular processes occurring in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, a preliminary study was conducted on the bone cement in vitro. A sufficient concentration of free radicals is generated in the bone cement during the polymerization process, so that the polymerization and the curing can be monitored by EPR. The results of these measurements on radiolucent and radiopaque Surgical Simplex P bone cement are presented. Free radicals are present in the radiopaque bone cement powder as received from the manufacturer. These radicals, apparently produced in the radiation sterilization process, were unaffected by the polymerization/curing process and were stable to temperatures below about 100.degree. C. EPR can be used to monitor the molecular processes of bone cement in vitro. This technique may be utilized to monitor the in vivo aging process of bone cement used to fix human orthopedic implants.