Synthes Midfoot Fusion Bolt 6.5 mm. It is indicated for fracture, fixation, osteotomies, nonunions, and fusions of large bones in the foot and ankle.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-0014-2014) was formally reported on October 23, 2013, with the manufacturer initiating the action on March 8, 2013. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Synthes USA HQ, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of West Chester, PA. Federal records indicate 62 units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: A post market safety review following several customer complaints indicated additional clarification was necessary in the Midfoot Fusion Bolt Technique Guide to reduce potential for bolt back-out or migration by emphasi… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Nationwide Distribution, including the states of MI, PA, SC, IA, MA, CA, WI, IL, and KS.. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 6 were also issued by FDA Devices. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 13 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.