Statement on global orthopaedic surgery bone cement shortage

25 February 2026

An alternative supplier of bone cement used in orthopaedic surgery has now been secured.

The alternative bone cement has received full clinical approval and will be available to all health boards from 2 March 2026. From this date, operations requiring bone cement are expected to resume.

We understand how disappointing and frustrating postponed appointments can be. Our teams will be contacting all affected patients directly to rearrange their surgery as quickly as possible. There is no need to contact us — we will be in touch.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

19 February 2026

As a result of the national supply challenges affecting the availability of certain types of bone cement used in orthopaedic procedures, all planned cemented surgery across our Health Board has been temporarily paused until further notice. This primarily affects some hip and knee replacement procedures where cement is typically used.

We understand that many patients are waiting for surgery and may feel concerned or disappointed by this news. Please be assured that patient safety remains our absolute priority, and we are working closely with Welsh Government and national partners to identify solutions and secure further supply as quickly as possible.

What this means for patients

Attendance at appointments

Patients should continue to attend appointments, pre-operative assessments and treatments as planned unless they are contacted directly by the Health Board to advise otherwise

Prioritisation of care

Urgent trauma cases – such as patients admitted with broken hips following a fall – will continue to be prioritised. We are also reviewing patients with the most complex clinical needs to ensure those who need care most urgently are treated first.

Communication

We will contact patients directly if their procedure is affected. There is no need to call us unless you have been asked to do so.

Alternative surgical options

For some patients, there may be clinically appropriate alternatives that do not require bone cement, such as uncemented implants. Surgical teams are reviewing cases individually to determine whether this suitable.

Support for patients

We recognise delays can increase anxiety and discomfort. If your symptoms worsen or your pain becomes more difficult to manage, please contact your GP or usual clinical team for advice. You can also access additional guidance and support from our Self Care Team via our website: Self Care Team - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

We apologise for the uncertainty this may cause and thank patients for their patience and understanding while we work to resolve this national supply issue.

Further updates will be shared as soon as more information becomes available.