An apparatus for monitoring the polymerisation of surgical cement comprising a container for holding the surgical cement, sensing means to detect at least one environmental factor affecting surgical cement polymerisation or property of surgical cement indicating the level of polymerisation, wherein the sensing means is adapted to produce an output according to at least one environmental factor or property. The apparatus further comprises signal means to inform a user of the condition of the surgical cement according to the output of the sensing means. Suitably at least one environmental factor or property of the surgical cement is ambient temperature, ambient humidity, temperature of the surgical cement, viscosity of the surgical cement or the speed of sound through the surgical cement.