FDA Devices recall · Reported September 6, 2017
smith&nephew POLARSTEM(TM) Femoral Stems with Ti/HA (Standard, Lateral, Valgus and Collar), REF 76102260, NON STERILE, QTY: (1), Rx only The subject cardan is used in conjunction with a curved stem impactor used to implant the POLARSTEM hip stem. The hip stem is mounted on the screw at the tip of the instrument, and the stem is then impacted into the femur. After impaction, the surgeon uses a knob at the end of the cardan to unscrew the implanted stem from the instrument
The Cardan joint of the Polarstem Cardan could potentially fracture or functionally fail after multiple procedures.
Smith & Nephew, Inc. recalled smith&nephew POLARSTEM(TM) Femoral Stems with Ti/HA (Standard, Lateral, Valgus and Collar… - a moderate-severity action.
smith&nephew POLARSTEM(TM) Femoral Stems with Ti/HA (Standard, Lateral, Valgus and Collar… was recalled by Smith & Nephew, Inc. in September 6, 2017. Reason: The Cardan joint of the Polarstem Cardan could potentially fracture or functionally fail after multiple proce…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-3100-2017 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Smith & Nephew, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-The Cardan joint of the Polarstem Cardan could potentially fracture or functionally fail after multiple proce….
- Moderate
- severity level
- 402 units
- affected scope
- Class II
- classification
- September 6, 2017
- reported
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-3100-2017 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. Distribution scope (see Distribution below) 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, 6 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 - 41,021 medical devices recalls on record
Of 88,244 recalls with an agency hazard classification, 19,068 are high severity, 64,652 moderate, and 4,524 low. A further 16,179 CPSC/NHTSA recalls have no agency class and are excluded from this split. 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.
Product description
smith&nephew POLARSTEM(TM) Femoral Stems with Ti/HA (Standard, Lateral, Valgus and Collar), REF 76102260, NON STERILE, QTY: (1), Rx only The subject cardan is used in conjunction with a curved stem impactor used to implant the POLARSTEM hip stem. The hip stem is mounted on the screw at the tip of the instrument, and the stem is then impacted into the femur. After impaction, the surgeon uses a knob at the end of the cardan to unscrew the implanted stem from the instrument
Reason for recall
The Cardan joint of the Polarstem Cardan could potentially fracture or functionally fail after multiple procedures.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-3100-2017 |
| Date reported | September 6, 2017 |
| Date initiated | July 24, 2017 |
| Recalling firm | Smith & Nephew, Inc. |
| Firm location | Memphis, TN |
| Affected scope | 402 units |
| Distribution | Worldwide Distribution - US (Nationwide) and Internationally to Australia, Belgium, Norway, and Switzerland. |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What to do with this recall
Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.
- Check the recall number (Z-3100-2017) 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.
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Nationwide recalls with similar severity or category timing
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Similar severity · nearest report date
Same archive severity grade (Moderate), closest by report date among other firms and states.
Similar Medical Devices · nearest report date
Same product category, closest by report date among other firms and states (deduped against the severity set).
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Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026