Planned hip and knee replacement ops suspended due to shortage of bone cement

PLANNED hip and knee replacement operations across North Wales have been suspended due to a global shortage of bone cement, it has been confirmed.

- By CATRIN WILLIAMS

The disruption follows a manufacturing issue at the production facility of one of the main international suppliers, leading to a nationwide shortage affecting the NHS.

Bone cement is a critical material used in a wide range of emergency and planned orthopaedic procedures, particularly in joint replacement surgery. As supplies tighten, health boards across Wales have been instructed to prioritise patients in the most urgent clinical need.

In North Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said all planned cemented surgery has been paused until further notice.