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UK Faces Bone Cement Shortage, Thousands of Surgeries Canceled

2/18/2026

32 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A global bone cement shortage will cancel tens of thousands of knee and hip replacements across the UK.
The cement is essential for most of the roughly 250,000 annual operations.
Heraeus, the German supplier, reported a critical machine failure, leaving only one week of supply.
The National Health Service (NHS) plans to prioritize emergencies and cancel non-urgent appointments for at least two months.

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Story summary

A global bone cement shortage will cancel tens of thousands of knee and hip replacements across the UK.
The cement is essential for most of the roughly 250,000 annual operations.
Heraeus, the German supplier, reported a critical machine failure, leaving only one week of supply.
The National Health Service (NHS) plans to prioritize emergencies and cancel non-urgent appointments for at least two months.