—#97598

Product

STA-Flex SUBTALAR SCREW, 9 mm x 15 mm, REF 982363, Sterile, Biomet Sports Medicine, 56 East Bell Drive, Warsaw, IN. Used to reduce excessive rearfoot pronation by blocking forward and downward displacement of the Talus, resulting in improved rearfoot alignment and foot function.

FDA product code: HWC — Screw, Fixation, Bone
Device class: Class 2
Medical specialty: Orthopedic
510(k) numbers: K071498
Affected lot / code info: Lot Numbers: 879250, 890860, and 893930.

Why it was recalled

The firm has initiated this recall following internal fatigue testing that shows possible initiation of fatigue cracking in implants under load.

Root cause (FDA determination)

Pending

Action the firm took

The firm sent URGENT MEDICAL DEVICE RECALL NOTICES dated 1/21/2011 to distributors, implanting physicians, and medical facilities. The letter to the distributors and medical facilities states the recalled product should be immediately located and returned to Biomet. In addition, the "FAX Back Response Form" should be completed and returned to the number provided. If product has been further distributed, distributors are to contact hospital personnel via the enclosed "Dear Biomet Customer" notice. The letter to the implanting physicians informs the physician of the recall and lists the patients that were implanted with the device. The physician letter quotes from the surgical technique "the implant should also be removed if any postoperative complications occur". The letter to the implanting physicians does not recommend any action be taken with the devices that are implanted. The notice just makes the surgeons aware of the recall. Distributors and Physicians are to confirm receipt of the letter by contacting 800-348-9500, ext 3755 or 3756. Also, questions related to this matter should be directed to 574-371-3755 or 574-371-3756.

Recalling firm

Firm: Biomet, Inc.
Address: 56 E Bell Dr, Warsaw, Indiana 46582

Distribution

Distribution pattern: Nationwide Distribution.

Timeline

Recall initiated: 2011-01-21
Posted by FDA: 2011-03-09
Terminated: 2011-11-10
Status: —

Source: openFDA Device Recall endpoint. Recall record ID #97598. The FDA issues recall classifications as health-hazard assessments, not legal findings; for legal claims consult a licensed attorney.