PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported March 25, 2015

Thumb Screw for the Synthes Recon Locking Aiming Arm for Lateral Entry Femoral Nails-EX (part number 03.010.048) and the Thumb Screw for the Aiming Arm for Titanium Cannulated Tibial Nails-EX (part number 03.010.052). The Recon Locking Aiming Arm for Lateral Entry Femoral Recon Nails- EX is used when locking the Femoral Nail-EX. The Aiming Arm for Titanium (TI) Cannulated Tibial Nails-EX is used when locking the Tibial Nail-EX.

For certain lots, the incorrect raw material of annealed 17-4PH Stainless Steel was used instead of the correct material of heat-treated 304 Stainless Steel. This may lead to str…

Recall #
Z-1281-2015
Affected scope
183
Initiated
February 17, 2015
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
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Synthes, Inc. recalled Thumb Screw for the Synthes Recon Locking Aiming Arm for Lateral Entry Femoral Nails-EX (… - a moderate-severity action.

Thumb Screw for the Synthes Recon Locking Aiming Arm for Lateral Entry Femoral Nails-EX (… was recalled by Synthes, Inc. in March 25, 2015. Reason: For certain lots, the incorrect raw material of annealed 17-4PH Stainless Steel was used instead of the corre…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-1281-2015 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Synthes, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-For certain lots, the incorrect raw material of annealed 17-4PH Stainless Steel was used instead of the corre….

Moderate
severity level
183 units
affected scope
Class II
classification
March 25, 2015
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1281-2015 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-1281-2015) was formally reported on March 25, 2015, with the manufacturer initiating the action on February 17, 2015. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Synthes, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of West Chester, PA. Federal records list the affected scope as 183.

The documented reason for this recall is: For certain lots, the incorrect raw material of annealed 17-4PH Stainless Steel was used instead of the correct material of heat-treated 304 Stainless Steel. This may lead to stress-corrosion cracking, which can lead t… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Nationwide Distribution. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 3 from FDA Devices - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Medical Devices recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,248
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

183

Related Recalls

6

3 from same agency

Product description

Thumb Screw for the Synthes Recon Locking Aiming Arm for Lateral Entry Femoral Nails-EX (part number 03.010.048) and the Thumb Screw for the Aiming Arm for Titanium Cannulated Tibial Nails-EX (part number 03.010.052). The Recon Locking Aiming Arm for Lateral Entry Femoral Recon Nails- EX is used when locking the Femoral Nail-EX. The Aiming Arm for Titanium (TI) Cannulated Tibial Nails-EX is used when locking the Tibial Nail-EX.

Reason for recall

For certain lots, the incorrect raw material of annealed 17-4PH Stainless Steel was used instead of the correct material of heat-treated 304 Stainless Steel. This may lead to stress-corrosion cracking, which can lead to surgical delay or unintended debris entering the surgical site.

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 Terminated
Recall number Z-1281-2015
Date reported March 25, 2015
Date initiated February 17, 2015
Recalling firm Synthes, Inc.
Firm location West Chester, PA
Affected scope 183
Distribution Nationwide Distribution

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

Scale of Impact

183 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.

What to do with this recall

Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.

  • Check the recall number (Z-1281-2015) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status with FDA Devices before acting, recall details can be updated.
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official FDA Devices record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Thumb Screw for the Synthes Recon Locking Aiming Arm for Lateral Entry Femoral Nails-EX (part number 03.010.048) and the Thumb Screw for the Aiming Arm for Titanium Cannulated Tibial Nails-EX (part number 03.010.052). The Recon Locking Aiming Arm for Lateral Entry Femoral Recon Nails- EX is used when locking the Femoral Nail-EX. The Aiming Arm for Titanium (TI) Cannulated Tibial Nails-EX is used when locking the Tibial Nail-EX.. Recalled by Synthes, Inc.. Units affected: 183.
Why was this product recalled?
For certain lots, the incorrect raw material of annealed 17-4PH Stainless Steel was used instead of the correct material of heat-treated 304 Stainless Steel. This may lead to stress-corrosion cracking, which can lead to surgical delay or unintended debris entering the surgical site.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on March 25, 2015. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-1281-2015.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Nationwide Distribution.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-1281-2015) 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.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: FDA Devices, reported March 25, 2015. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.