The Recall Desk
ModerateFDA (Devices)·Z-0845-2016·Announced 2016-03-02

Zimmer Biomet Recalls Bipolar Shell Hip Prostheses Due to Packaging Defect

Zimmer Biomet is recalling 72,806 Bipolar Shell hip prostheses because the LDPE packaging bag adheres to the polished implant surface.

What this means for you

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class II, and the hazard is a packaging defect (adhesion) rather than a direct structural failure or contamination, fitting the Moderate criteria for low-risk issues.

Plain-English summary

Zimmer Biomet, Inc. is recalling 72,806 units of the Bipolar Shell prosthesis, a semi-constrained hip implant made of metal, ceramic, and polymer. The recall is due to a defect where the LDPE bag containing the implant adheres to the highly polished implant surface.

The affected products were distributed worldwide, including nationwide in the United States and to numerous international locations. The recall covers various sizes of the implant, identified by specific item numbers and lot numbers listed in the agency record.

Consumers and healthcare providers should stop using the affected implants and contact Zimmer Biomet for further instructions on how to proceed with the recall.

The recalled product

Product
Bipolar Shell prosthesis, hip, semi-constrained, metal/ceramic/polymer, cemented or non-porous, uncemented various sizes Use of the MultiPolar Bipolar Cup is indicated in: Fracture dislocation of the hip. Elderly, debilitated patients when a total hip replacement is contra
Affected units
72,806

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 21 recalled by Zimmer Biomet, Inc. under a single FDA (Devices) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 21 products in this recall →