PlainRecalls

Universal Chuck-The Universal Chuck is an Instrument Handle provided as an alternative instrument available for use in the TN-ADVANCED" Tibial Nailing System (TNA), TFN-ADVANCED" Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFNA), RFN-ADVANCED" Retrograde Femoral Nailing System (RFNA), FRN-ADVANCED" Femoral Recon Nailing System (FRNA), and Flexible Monobloc Reamers. Instrument Handles are intended for holding instruments for manipulation during orthopedic surgery. Product No.: 03.043.001

Reported: February 16, 2022 Initiated: December 22, 2021 #Z-0634-2022 600 units units

Synthes (USA) Products LLC issued this FDA Devices recall on February 16, 2022. Classified as Moderate severity (Class II). Approximately 600 units units are affected. The recall was issued because: Top cap may loosen and detach if the Universal Chuck becomes jammed and the user attempts to manually free the device, …. This recall notice is sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-0634-2022) was formally reported on February 16, 2022, with the manufacturer initiating the action on December 22, 2021. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Ongoing. Synthes (USA) Products LLC is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of West Chester, PA. Federal records indicate 600 units units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: Top cap may loosen and detach if the Universal Chuck becomes jammed and the user attempts to manually free the device, internal ball bearings may fall out onto the surgical field and cause surgical delay or, and if not … Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: US Nationwide distribution.. 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 4 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.

Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

600 units

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product Description

Universal Chuck-The Universal Chuck is an Instrument Handle provided as an alternative instrument available for use in the TN-ADVANCED" Tibial Nailing System (TNA), TFN-ADVANCED" Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFNA), RFN-ADVANCED" Retrograde Femoral Nailing System (RFNA), FRN-ADVANCED" Femoral Recon Nailing System (FRNA), and Flexible Monobloc Reamers. Instrument Handles are intended for holding instruments for manipulation during orthopedic surgery. Product No.: 03.043.001

Reason for Recall

Top cap may loosen and detach if the Universal Chuck becomes jammed and the user attempts to manually free the device, internal ball bearings may fall out onto the surgical field and cause surgical delay or, and if not recovered, adverse tissue reaction and infection.

Details

Units Affected
600 units
Distribution
US Nationwide distribution.
Location
West Chester, PA

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Devices recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Moderate (Class II)
Status Ongoing
Recall number Z-0634-2022
Date reported February 16, 2022
Date initiated December 22, 2021
Recalling firm Synthes (USA) Products LLC
Units affected 600 units
Distribution US Nationwide distribution.

Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Scale of Impact

600 units units affected — limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units)
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units)

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Universal Chuck-The Universal Chuck is an Instrument Handle provided as an alternative instrument available for use in the TN-ADVANCED" Tibial Nailing System (TNA), TFN-ADVANCED" Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFNA), RFN-ADVANCED" Retrograde Femoral Nailing System (RFNA), FRN-ADVANCED" Femoral Recon Nailing System (FRNA), and Flexible Monobloc Reamers. Instrument Handles are intended for holding instruments for manipulation during orthopedic surgery. Product No.: 03.043.001. Recalled by Synthes (USA) Products LLC. Units affected: 600 units.
Why was this product recalled?
Top cap may loosen and detach if the Universal Chuck becomes jammed and the user attempts to manually free the device, internal ball bearings may fall out onto the surgical field and cause surgical delay or, and if not recovered, adverse tissue reaction and infection.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on February 16, 2022. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-0634-2022.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: US Nationwide distribution..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-0634-2022) against your product. Visit the official FDA Devices website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
Should I stop using a recalled medication or medical device?
Do not stop using a recalled medication or device without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abruptly discontinuing treatment could pose its own health risks. Your doctor can advise on alternatives or whether the recall applies to your specific product lot. Check the recall number and lot information against your product packaging.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

Compare this recall with Endo-Model Replacement Plateau; Item Number: 15-0027/11; →

Data Sources

Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
  • Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

All federal data sources used on this page

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).