Which Acetabular Measurements Most Accurately Differentiate Between Patients and Controls? A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Acetabular morphology is an important determinant of hip biomechanics. To identify features of acetabular morphology that may be associated with the development of hip symptoms while accounting for spinopelvic characteristics, one needs to determine acetabular characteristics in a group of individuals older than 45 years without symptoms or signs of osteoarthritis. Previous studies have used patients with unknown physical status to define morphological thresholds to guide management. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) To determine acetabular morphological characteristics in males and females between 45 and 60 years old with a high Oxford hip score (OHS) and no signs of osteoarthritis; (2) to compare these characteristics with those of symptomatic hip patients treated with hip arthroscopy or periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for various kinds of hip pathology (dysplasia, retroversion, and cam femoroacetabular impingement); and (3) to assess which radiographic or CT parameters most accurately differentiate between patients who had symptomatic hips and those who did not, and thus, define thresholds that can guide management. METHODS: Between January 2018 and December 2018, 1358 patients underwent an abdominopelvic CT scan in our institution for nonorthopaedic conditions. Of those, we considered 5% (73) of patients as potentially eligible as controls based on the absence of major hip osteoarthritis, trauma, or deformity. Patients were excluded if their OHS was 43 or less (2% [ 28 ]), if they had a PROMIS less than 50 (1% [ 18 ]), or their Tönnis score was higher than 1 (0.4% [ 6 ]). Another eight patients were excluded because of insufficient datasets. After randomly selecting one side for each control, 40 hips were left for analysis (age 55 ± 5 years; 48% [19 of 40] were in females). In this comparative study, this asymptomatic group was compared with a group of patients treated with hip arthroscopy or PAO. Between January 2013 and December 2020, 221 hips underwent hip preservation surgery. Of those, eight were excluded because of previous pelvic surgery, and 102 because of insufficient CT scans. One side was randomly selected in patients who underwent bilateral procedure, leaving 48% (107 of 221) of hips for analysis (age 31 ± 8 years; 54% [58 of 107] were in females). Detailed radiographic and CT assessments (including segmentation) were performed to determine acetabular (depth, cartilage coverage, subtended angles, anteversion, and inclination) and spinopelvic (pelvic tilt and incidence) parameters. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to assess diagnostic accuracy and determine which morphological parameters (and their threshold) differentiate most accurately between symptomatic patients and asymptomatic controls. RESULTS: Acetabular morphology in asymptomatic hips was characterized by a mean depth of 22 ± 2 mm, with an articular cartilage surface of 2619 ± 415 mm 2 , covering 70% ± 6% of the articular surface, a mean acetabular inclination of 48° ± 6°, and a minimal difference between anatomical (24° ± 7°) and functional (22° ± 6°) anteversion. Patients with symptomatic hips generally had less acetabular depth (20 ± 4 mm versus 22 ± 2 mm, mean difference 3 mm [95% CI 1 to 4]; p < 0.001). Hips with dysplasia (67% ± 5% versus 70% ± 6%, mean difference 6% [95% CI 0% to 12%]; p = 0.03) or retroversion (67% ± 5% versus 70% ± 6%, mean difference 6% [95% CI 1% to 12%]; p = 0.04) had a slightly lower relative cartilage area compared with asymptomatic hips. There was no difference in acetabular inclination (48° ± 6° versus 47° ± 7°, mean difference 0.5° [95% CI -2° to 3°]; p = 0.35), but asymptomatic hips had higher anatomic anteversion (24° ± 7° versus 19° ± 8°, mean difference 6° [95% CI 3° to 9°]; p < 0.001) and functional anteversion (22° ± 6° versus 13°± 9°, mean difference 9° [95% CI 6° to 12°]; p < 0.001). Subtended angles were higher in asymptomatic at 105° (124° ± 7° versus 114° ± 12°, mean difference 11° [95% CI 3° to 17°]; p < 0.001), 135° (122° ± 9° versus 111° ± 12°, mean difference 10° [95% CI 2° to 15°]; p < 0.001), and 165° (112° ± 9° versus 102° ± 11°, mean difference 10° [95% CI 2° to 14°]; p < 0.001) around the acetabular clockface. Symptomatic hips had a lower pelvic tilt (8° ± 8° versus 11° ± 5°, mean difference 3° [95% CI 1° to 5°]; p = 0.007). The posterior wall index had the highest discriminatory ability of all measured parameters, with a cutoff value of less than 0.9 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.84 [95% CI 0.76 to 0.91]) for a symptomatic acetabulum (sensitivity 72%, specificity 78%). Diagnostically useful parameters on CT scan to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic hips were acetabular depth less than 22 mm (AUC 0.74 [95% CI 0.66 to 0.83]) and functional anteversion less than 19° (AUC 0.79 [95% CI 0.72 to 0.87]). Subtended angles with the highest accuracy to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic hips were those at 105° (AUC 0.76 [95% CI 0.65 to 0.88]), 135° (AUC 0.78 [95% CI 0.70 to 0.86]), and 165° (AUC 0.77 [95% CI 0.69 to 0.85]) of the acetabular clockface. CONCLUSION: An anatomical and functional acetabular anteversion of 24° and 22°, with a pelvic tilt of 10°, increases the acetabular opening and allows for more impingement-free flexion while providing sufficient posterosuperior coverage for loading. Hips with lower anteversion or a larger difference between anatomic and functional anteversion were more likely to be symptomatic. The importance of sufficient posterior coverage was also illustrated by the posterior wall indices and subtended angles at 105°, 135°, and 165° of the acetabular clockface having a high discriminatory ability to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic hips. Future research should confirm whether integrating these parameters when selecting patients for hip preservation procedures can improve postoperative outcomes.Level of Evidence Level III, prognostic study.

Comparison of Acetabular Measurements Between 2 Validated Software Programs Used in Hip Preservation Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Validated software tools (Clinical Graphics [CG] and Hip2Norm) permit measurement of the percentage of femoral head coverage (%FHC), which aids in morphological classification and prediction of outcome after hip preservation surgery. PURPOSE: (1) To assess whether acetabular parameter measurements determined from 2 commonly used software systems are comparable. (2) To determine which parameters influence the correlation or differences between software outputs and measurements. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: The study included 69 patients (90 hips) who underwent periacetabular osteotomy and had comprehensive preoperative imaging available. Lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), acetabular index (AI), and %FHC were determined using 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) measurements by CG and Hip2Norm software. Images of 18 pelvises were segmented to determine spinopelvic parameters and subtended acetabular angles. Between-group measurements were compared using correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman analyses. The difference in the outputs of the 2 programs was defined as delta (Δ). Radiographic parameters were tested to assess whether they were responsible for differences in %FHC between software programs. RESULTS: Strong correlations between LCEA (ρ = 0.862) and AI (ρ = 0.825) measurements were seen between the Hip2Norm and CG programs. However, weak correlation was seen in the estimate of %FHC (ρ = 0.358), with the presence of a systematic error. Hip2Norm consistently produced lower anterior, posterior, and total %FHC values than CG. The %FHC determined by CG, but not Hip2Norm, correlated with acetabular subtended angles (P < .05). Pelvic tilt measured on CT did not correlate with pelvic tilt estimated by Hip2Norm (P = .56), and ΔPelvicTilt strongly correlated with the difference in %FHC by the 2 software programs (ρ = 0.63; P = .005), pelvic incidence (ρ = 0.73; P < .001), and pelvic tilt (ρ = -0.91; P < .001) as per CT. CONCLUSION: The correlation of %FHC between Hip2Norm and CG was weak (ρ = 0.358). The difference in measurements of %FHC correlated with ΔPelvicTilt. The %FHC determined by CG strongly correlated with the segmented acetabular subtended angles and thus more likely reflected true values. Hip preservation surgeons should be aware of these measurement differences because %FHC is important in the diagnosis and prognosis of acetabular dysplasia.

Acetabular Morphology and Spinopelvic Characteristics: What Predominantly Determines Functional Acetabular Version?

BACKGROUND: In addition to the relative size of the acetabular rim and how the pelvis is positioned in space, the plane in which the acetabular version is calculated also affects its measurement. PURPOSE: To determine the relative contribution of pelvic and acetabular characteristics on morphological version (measured relative to the anterior pelvic plane angle [APPA]) and functional version (measured relative to the horizontal table). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Included were 50 acetabular dysplasia patients and 109 asymptomatic controls. Using image analysis software, morphological parameters of the pelvis and acetabulum were determined from 2-dimensional computed topography: pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt angle, sacral slope, APPA, morphological and functional acetabular versions, and subtended angles (measure of acetabular rim prominence relative to the femoral head center) around the acetabular clockface in 30° increments. Correlation and multivariable regression analyses were performed with morphological and functional version as dependent variables and spinopelvic and acetabular parameters as independent variables. RESULTS: Morphological version was moderately associated with differences between anterior and posterior subtended angles (R = 0.68 [P < .001] and R = 0.57 [P < .001] for differences at 165° and 15° and 135° and 45°, respectively). Functional version was moderately associated with pelvic tilt angle (R = 0.56; P <.001) and the difference in subtended angles between anterior and posterior rims (R = 0.61 [P < .001] and R = 0.50 [P < .001] for differences at 165° and 15° and 135° and 45°, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed a good model for predicting morphological version (R 2 = 0.44; P < .01) and functional version (R 2 = 0.58; P < .01). Subtended angle difference between 165° and 15° (B = 0.36 [95% CI, 0.24-0.49]; P < .001) was most strongly related to morphological version, and pelvic tilt angle (B = 0.57 [95% CI, 0.46-0.68]; P < .001) was most strongly related to functional version. CONCLUSION: Functional acetabular version was influenced most strongly by pelvic tilt angle rather than the relative prominence of the acetabular rims. Before determining surgical management for version abnormalities, it would be prudent to assess pelvic mobility and characteristics in different functional positions. In patients with minimal pelvic tilt change dynamically, corrective osteotomy would be the treatment of choice to improve functional version.

When "facts" are not facts: what does p value really mean, and how does it deceive us?

The recent paper in JAMA alleging that frozen embryo transfer causes twice the risk of childhood cancer in the offspring is an excellent example of the erroneous use of statistical tests (and the misinterpretation of p value) that is common in much of the medical literature, even in very high impact journals. These myths backed by misleading statements of "statistical significance" can cause far-reaching harm to patients and doctors who might not understand the pitfalls of specious statistical testing.

Higher patient activity level and subchondral stiffening in asymptomatic cam femoroacetabular impingement subjects.

A cam deformity is proposed as a cause of idiopathic osteoarthritis. Increased subchondral bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with this degenerative process of osteoarthritis, and the patient's activity level may contribute to it. Therefore, the correlation between activity level and subchondral BMD in subjects with cam deformity FAI was studied. In this study, 26 asymptomatic cam deformity subjects (Bump) were compared with 18 subjects with a normal alpha angle (Control). Anterosuperior subchondral femoral neck and acetabular rim BMD were measured using quantitative computed tomography. Activity level was determined using the UCLA activity score. The correlation between BMD and UCLA activity were analysed. The result was a significantly higher BMD for Bump subjects in almost all measured sections. The UCLA score of the Bump versus Control subjects were comparable (8.96 versus 8.77, P = 0.740). While the controls showed no correlation between UCLA and BMD, a positive correlation was found for the Bump subjects on several femoral and acetabular impingement locations. These results support the conclusion that mechanical loading causes subchondral stiffening at the anterosuperior head-neck junction of the femur and anterosuperior acetabular rim. The absence of a correlation between BMD versus UCLA in the Controls supports the hypothesis that activity level may serve as a predictor for higher subchondral BMD in a cam deformity hip joint.

Unravelling the hip pistol grip/cam deformity: Origins to joint degeneration.

This article reviews a body of work performed by the investigators over 9 years that has addressed the significance of cam morphology in the development of hip osteoarthritis (OA). Early hip joint degeneration is a common clinical presentation and preexisting abnormal joint morphology is a risk factor for its development. Interrogating Hill's criteria, we tested whether cam-type femoroacetabular impingement leads to hip OA. Strength of association was identified between cam morphology, reduced range-of-movement, hip pain, and cartilage degeneration. By studying a pediatric population, we were able to characterize the temporality between cam morphology (occurring 1st) and joint degeneration. Using in silico (finite element) and in vivo (imaging biomarkers) studies, we demonstrated the biological plausibility of how a cam deformity can lead to joint degeneration. Furthermore, we were able to show a biological gradient between degree of cam deformity and extent of articular damage. However, not all patients develop joint degeneration and we were able to characterize which factors contribute to this (specificity). Lastly, we were able to show that by removing the cam morphology, one could positively influence the degenerative process (experiment). The findings of this body of work show consistency and coherence with the literature. Furthermore, they illustrate how cam morphology can lead to early joint degeneration analogous to SCFE, dysplasia, and joint mal-reduction post-injury. The findings of this study open new avenues on the association between cam morphology and OA including recommendations for the study, screening, follow-up, and assessment (patient-specific) of individuals with cam morphology in order to prevent early joint degeneration. Statement of significance: By satisfying Hill's criteria, one can deduct that in some individuals, cam morphology is a cause of OA. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3125-3135, 2018.

Surgical Correction of Cam Deformity in Association with Femoroacetabular Impingement and Its Impact on the Degenerative Process within the Hip Joint.

BACKGROUND: Cam morphology in association with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a recognized cause of hip pain and cartilage damage and proposed as a leading cause of arthritis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the functional and biomechanical effects of the surgical correction of the cam deformity on the degenerative process associated with FAI. METHODS: Ten male patients with a mean age of 34.3 years (range, 23.1 to 46.5 years) and a mean body mass index (and standard deviation) of 26.66 ± 4.79 kg/m underwent corrective surgery for cam deformity in association with FAI. Each patient underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan to assess acetabular bone mineral density (BMD), high-resolution T1ρ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hips to assess proteoglycan content, and squatting motion analysis as well as completed self-administered functional questionnaires (Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [HOOS]) both preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 24.5 months, improvements in functional scores and squat performance were seen. Regarding the zone of impingement in the anterosuperior quadrant of the acetabular rim, the mean change in BMD at the time of follow-up was -31.8 mg/cc (95% confidence interval [CI], -11 to -53 mg/cc) (p = 0.008), representing a 5% decrease in BMD. The anterosuperior quadrant also demonstrated a significant decrease in T1ρ values, reflecting a stabilization of the cartilage degeneration. Significant correlations were noted between changes in clinical functional scores and changes in T1ρ values (r = -0.86; p = 0.003) as well as between the BMD and maximum vertical force (r = 0.878; p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical correction of a cam deformity in patients with symptomatic FAI not only improved clinical function but was also associated with decreases in T1ρ values and BMD. These findings are the first, to our knowledge, to show that alteration of the hip biomechanics through surgical intervention improves the overall health of the hip joint. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Properties of the cartilage layer from the cam-type hip impingement deformity.

Femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) is associated with significant acetabular cartilage damage and degenerative arthritis. To understand the contact stress and thus biomechanical mechanisms that may contribute to degeneration, the material behaviour of the cartilage layer is required. The objective of this study is to determine the fibril-reinforced poroelastic properties and composition of cartilage from cam deformities and to compare to those of normal cartilage. Patients undergoing surgical treatment of a symptomatic cam FAI deformity were recruited from the clinical practice of one of the authors. Osteochondral specimens were retrieved from the deformity during surgery using a trephine. Control specimens were retrieved from the anterior femoral head bearing surface during autopsy procedures. Indentation stress-relaxation tests were performed to determine the modulus (ES), Poisson's ratio (ν) and permeability (k0) of the poroelastic component, and the strain-independent (E0) and -dependent (Eε) moduli of the fibril-reinforcement using finite element analysis and optimization. Safranin-O staining was used to quantify proteoglycan content. ES and ν were 71% and 37% lower, respectively, in Cam specimens compared to controls, and k0 was approximately triple that of Control specimens (p<0.05). No significant differences were seen in the fibrillar components, E0 and Eε. Proteoglycan content was substantially depleted in Cam specimens, and was correlated with ES, ν and k0. This study showed that cartilage from the cam deformity exhibits severe degeneration in terms of the mechanical behaviour and composition changes, and is consistent with osteoarthritis. This further supports the hypothesis that FAI is a cause of hip osteoarthritis.

The accuracy of the use of functional hip motions on localization of the center of the hip.

BACKGROUND: The hip joint is generally considered a ball-and-socket joint, the center of which is used as an anatomic landmark in functional analyses and by surgical navigation systems. The location of the hip center has been estimated using functional techniques using various limb motions. However, it is not clear which specific motions best predicted the functional center. PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the predicted functional center of the hip evaluated from multiplanar circumduction and star motions, and to compare this functional center with the geometric center. METHODS: Eight hips in four fresh-frozen cadavers were used and verified as morphologically normal in CT scans. Three-dimensional motion of each lower limb was recorded using arrays of reflective markers rigidly attached to the femur and pelvis. Each hip was manipulated to produce circumduction or star motion, i.e., abduction-adduction and flexion extension. The hip was then dissected and the bearing surface traced with a probe, from which a best-fit sphere was calculated. The functional center was calculated from the motion data and compared to the geometric technique. RESULTS: There was no difference between the functional hip center predicted by circumduction or star motions, although this was offset from the geometric hip center by up to 14 mm. For all except two hips, the functional center was less than 6 mm from the geometric hip in each anatomic direction. Test-retest differences were smaller for circumduction than for star motions. CONCLUSIONS: Estimation of the hip center based on motion of the femur relative to the pelvis could localize the geometric center of the joint within 14 mm and circumduction motions were more repeatable. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Many surgical navigation systems make use of the functional hip center as a landmark for alignment or reconstruction. Errors associated with this would have a very minor influence in lower limb alignment, e.g., for knee reconstruction, but could affect proximal femoral geometry relevant to hip reconstruction.

Computer-assisted correction of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement: a Sawbones study.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the adequacy of bone resection when correcting cam-type femoroacetabular impingement can be difficult when the surgeon is inexperienced or when less-invasive arthroscopic surgical techniques are used. The primary purpose of the present study was to compare, using a Sawbones model, the results of computer-assisted navigated osteochondroplasty of the femoral neck junction with correction with use of femoral head spherometer gauges. The second objective was to compare the results of computer-assisted osteochondroplasty performed by surgeons who had varied experience with the procedure. METHODS: We calculated and compared the post-resection alpha angle in custom-molded Sawbones models with cam-type impingement following both surgical techniques, performed by three surgeons with varied experience with the procedure. The alpha angle was measured at two positions (the three o'clock and one-thirty positions of the femoral head-neck junction) before and after resection. RESULTS: At the three o'clock position, there were no significant differences between the computer-navigation and spherometer groups (p = 0.83). There was undercorrection at the one-thirty position, with the median alpha angle being greater in the navigation group as compared with the spherometer group (71.0 compared with 58.6; p = 0.05). In the navigation group, there were no significant differences in the post-resection mean alpha angle among the three surgeons at either the one-thirty plane or the three o'clock plane. CONCLUSIONS: Navigation enabled the inexperienced surgeon to perform an equivalent amount of bone resection as the more experienced surgeons. However, all surgeons did not sufficiently resect the cam deformity as compared with the gold-standard open technique at the one-thirty position.

Influence of prosthesis design and implantation technique on implant stresses after cementless revision THR.

BACKGROUND: Femoral offset influences the forces at the hip and the implant stresses after revision THR. For extended bone defects, these forces may cause considerable bending moments within the implant, possibly leading to implant failure. This study investigates the influences of femoral anteversion and offset on stresses in the Wagner SL revision stem implant under varying extents of bone defect conditions. METHODS: Wagner SL revision stems with standard (34 mm) and increased offset (44 mm) were virtually implanted in a model femur with bone defects of variable extent (Paprosky I to IIIb). Variations in surgical technique were simulated by implanting the stems each at 4° or 14° of anteversion. Muscle and joint contact forces were applied to the reconstruction and implant stresses were determined using finite element analyses. RESULTS: Whilst increasing the implant's offset by 10 mm led to increased implant stresses (16.7% in peak tensile stresses), altering anteversion played a lesser role (5%). Generally, larger stresses were observed with reduced bone support: implant stresses increased by as much as 59% for a type IIIb defect. With increased offset, the maximum tensile stress was 225 MPa. CONCLUSION: Although increased stresses were observed within the stem with larger offset and increased anteversion, these findings indicate that restoration of offset, key to restoring joint function, is unlikely to result in excessive implant stresses under routine activities if appropriate fixation can be achieved.

Evaluation of a new femoral fixation device in a simulated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro biomechanical study was to determine the cyclic elongation and failure properties of a new anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction device and compare the results with several devices that are currently available. METHODS: We performed 10 ACL reconstructions in 4 groups using fresh porcine femurs and doubled lateral extensor of the toes tendons. Manufacturer guidelines were followed for fixation by use of either of 2 cortical suspension devices (XO Button [ConMed Linvatec, Largo, FL] and EndoButton CL [Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA]), a bio-interference screw (BioScrew; ConMed Linvatec), or a corticocancellous fixation device (Pinn-ACL; ConMed Linvatec). Reconstructions were subjected to cyclic loading to 150 N for 2,000 cycles, followed by static failure tests. RESULTS: The two cortical suspension devices performed similarly to one another: the XO Button device had a significantly lower elongation amplitude than the EndoButton (P < .05). There were no significant differences in longer-term creep performance or static strength or stiffness. Compared with an interference screw, the XO Button had significantly less creep and higher failure load (P < .05). The corticocancellous device had the lowest creep and cyclic elongation amplitude and the highest strength and stiffness of the devices tested. CONCLUSIONS: In this in vitro evaluation, reconstructions with the XO Button and EndoButton exhibited very similar biomechanical performance, and our hypothesis was not supported: the XO Button did not limit creep more than the EndoButton. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this preclinical in vitro testing suggest that the new device is expected to provide clinical results similar to those of the EndoButton, a well-established device for ACL reconstruction.

Influence of changes in stem positioning on femoral loading after THR using a short-stemmed hip implant.

BACKGROUND: Short-stemmed hip implants were introduced to conserve proximal bone mass and may facilitate the use of minimally invasive surgery, in which smaller incisions limit access to the joint. This limited access may increase the risk of surgical mal-positioning of the implant, however the sensitivity of femoral loading to such mal-positioning of a short-stemmed implant has not been studied. METHODS: Finite element models were developed of a femur and a short-stemmed implant positioned to reproduce the intact hip centre, as well as with the implant placed in increased anteversion or offset. The effect of these surgical variables on femoral loading was examined for walking and stair climbing using loads from a validated musculoskeletal model. Results of the implanted models were compared with an intact model to evaluate stress shielding. FINDINGS: Implant position had little influence on cortical strains along the length of the diaphysis, although strains decreased by up to 95% at the neck resection level compared to the intact femur. In the proximal Gruen zones I and VII strain energy density among the implanted models varied by up to 0.4 kJ/m(3) (28%) and 0.6 kJ/m(3) (24%) under walking and stair climbing, respectively. All implanted models showed characteristic proximal stress shielding, indicated by a decrease in strain energy density of up to 5.4 kJ/m(3) (69%) compared to the intact femur. INTERPRETATION: Small changes in stem placement would likely have little influence on the internal loading of the femur after bone ingrowth has been achieved, however a reduction in strain energy density and therefore stress shielding was seen even for a short-stemmed implant, which may have consequences for longer-term bone remodelling.

Calcium phosphate cement composites in revision hip arthroplasty.

Loosening of the femoral component in a total hip arthroplasty with concomitant bone loss can pose a problem for revision surgery due to inadequate structure in the remaining femur. While impaction allografting has shown promise, it has also shown serious complications, especially with moderate to severe bone loss. It may be possible to stabilize the graft layer with a bioresorbable cement to improve clinical results. This study examines the mechanical properties of a potential morsellized bone-bioresorbable composite. Morsellized bone was mixed with a commercially available bioresorbable cement (alpha-BSM, Etex Corp.) in compositions of 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% bone. Unconfined compression and diametral tensile and confined compression tests were performed to determine the composite mechanical properties. The composition containing 50% bone tended to exhibit the highest uniaxial strengths, as well as the highest confined compression modulus. The uniaxial compressive strength and stiffness of this composition was in the range of cancellous bone. Uniaxial compressive modulus decreased with increasing bone fraction whereas elongation exhibited the opposite trend. Bone fraction had a significant effect on compressive strength (p < 0.0001), compressive modulus (p < 0.0001), elongation (p < 0.01), tensile strength (p < 0.0001) and confined compressive modulus (p = 0.04). The addition of a bioresorbable cement to the allograft layer may improve the properties of the layer, preventing early subsidence seen in some clinical studies of impaction allografting, and therefore improving the clinical results. Further testing is required to evaluate the in vitro mechanical performance, as well as in vivo remodelling characteristics.