The Recall Desk
HighFDA (Devices)·Z-1953-2013·Announced 2013-08-21

Zimmer Trabecular Metal Reverse Shoulder Instrumentation Recalled for Tab Fracture

Zimmer, Inc. is recalling Trabecular Metal Reverse Shoulder System Instrumentation due to potential tab fracture during use.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a medical device with a mechanical defect (tab fracture) that poses a risk of harm during surgery, but the source text does not report any injuries, hospitalizations, or deaths, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products without reported injury.

Plain-English summary

Zimmer, Inc. is recalling the REF 00-4309-071-36 Trabecular Metal Reverse Shoulder System Instrumentation, specifically the Glenosphere Helmet, 36 mm Diameter Nonsterile. This instrumentation is used in shoulder replacement surgery to insert the glenosphere onto the base plate prior to impaction. The recall involves 3,163 units distributed worldwide, including the United States and various international markets.

The recall is being conducted because there is a potential for one or both tabs of the Trabecular Metal Reverse Glenosphere Helmet to fracture during use and become disassociated from the device. The source text notes that there have been 47 reported complaints of tab fracture.

Healthcare providers and facilities that have received this product should stop using it and contact Zimmer, Inc. for further instructions on return or replacement. Patients who have already had surgery using this specific instrumentation should consult their healthcare provider if they have concerns.

The recalled product

Product
REF 00-4309-071-36 Trabecular Metal Reverse Shoulder System Instrumentation, Glenosphere Helmet, 36 mm Diameter Nonsterile, Qty -1 Instrumentation used in shoulder replacement surgery. The glenosphere helmet is used to insert the glenosphere onto the base plate prior to impact
Manufacturer
Zimmer, Inc.
Affected units
3,163

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 2 recalled by Zimmer, 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 2 products in this recall →