MAUDE Adverse Event Report: STRYKER GMBH DISTAL LATERAL FIBULA PLATE, 4 HOLE; APPLIANCE, FIXATION, NAIL/BLADE/PLATE COMBINATION, MULTIPLE COMPONENT

Model Number 40-20904

Device Problem Fracture (1260)

Patient Problems Bone Fracture(s) (1870); Failure of Implant (1924); Nerve Damage (1979); Pain (1994); Swelling (2091); Burning Sensation (2146); Injury (2348); Implant Pain (4561); Swelling/ Edema (4577)

Event Date 08/03/2020

Event Type  Injury  

Manufacturer Narrative

Device will not be returned.If additional information becomes available, it will be provided in a supplemental report.Device is not available; hospital retained.

Event Description

It was reported: rep was contacted by surgeon and told that the patient has a broken plate on her right fibula.On (b)(6) 2020, the patient sent an email reporting the following: "i had ankle surgery for an internal fixation on (b)(6).On (b)(6) i was fully healed and cleared to walk without boot or scooter.(b)(6) my ankle was swollen and burning so i went in to see my surgeon and x-rays showed that my titanium plate made by stryker snapped, re-broke my bone and severed my sural nerve.I have emergency surgery this friday (b)(6) to repair my bone, nerve, remove the broken plate, and install a new plate".The rep confirmed that no further information is available.

Manufacturer Narrative

The reported event could be confirmed.Since pictures of x-rays were provided, the opinion of a medical expert was requested.The statement is as follows: "the information provided is very limited.In general 6 weeks would be sufficient to let a fracture of the distal fibula heal.So it would be possible to do full weight bearing, still dependent on any complaints, like for example remaining pain.In this case we only have two x-rays, to properly judge the healing of a fracture you need at least two directions at the same time point form the affected limb.Furthermore we are unaware of the patients symptoms on the (b)(6) [.].Looking at the x-ray from the (b)(6) [.] with a very low resolution, it seems the fracture line is still visible.In combination with pain, this might suggest there was not sufficient healing at that time yet.However since we don¿t know about symptoms we can't be sure, furthermore a second direction of the x-ray is not provided and since this is just a low resolution picture and screen, i cannot be sure about the actual status of fracture.The picture from the (b)(6) is suggestive to be from a ct-scan.From my perspective it shows the same fracture line as i see in the x-ray from the 10th.This might suggest there was no healing at all.I have to add we do not have the initial trauma pictures to confirm this.[.] last remark on the tomogram from the (b)(6), the fifth screw in the straight part (lowest seen from proximal) might have been in the fracture since the plate was placed.From a personal perspective, this screw might have been unnecessary to place, it might have led to a construction which was to stiff, so it did not get a chance to heal.3 screws above the and below the fracture line is considered to be sufficient in general." based on investigation, the root cause could most probably be attributed to the application of full weight bearing by the patient in the possible presence of a delayed union.The failure was possibly caused by the application of extensive mechanical loading on the plate before complete bone union.However, a more detailed investigation result could be provided in the presence of more detailed x-rays, as well as the device itself.A review of the device history was not possible because the lot number was not communicated.No corrective actions are required at this time.A review of the labeling did not indicate any abnormalities.No indications of material, manufacturing or design related problems were found during the investigation.If the device is returned or if any additional information is provided, the investigation will be reassessed.

Event Description

It was reported: rep was contacted by surgeon and told that the patient has a broken plate on her right fibula.On (b)(6) 2020, the patient sent an email reporting the following: "i had ankle surgery for an internal fixation on (b)(6) ¿on (b)(6) i was fully healed and cleared to walk without boot or scooter.(b)(6) my ankle was swollen and burning so i went in to see my surgeon and x-rays showed that my titanium plate made by stryker snapped, re-broke my bone and severed my sural nerve.I have emergency surgery this friday (b)(6) to repair my bone, nerve, remove the broken plate, and install a new plate".The rep confirmed that no further information is available.

• Brand Name: DISTAL LATERAL FIBULA PLATE, 4 HOLE
• Type of Device: APPLIANCE, FIXATION, NAIL/BLADE/PLATE COMBINATION, MULTIPLE COMPONENT
• Manufacturer (Section D): STRYKER GMBH; bohnackerweg 1; postfach; selzach 2545 ; SZ 2545
• MDR Report Key: 10462438
• MDR Text Key: 204680708
• Report Number: 0008031020-2020-02193
• Device Sequence Number: 1
• Product Code: KTT
• UDI-Device Identifier: 04546540567437
• UDI-Public: 04546540567437
• Combination Product (y/n): N
• PMA/PMN Number: K081284
• Number of Events Reported: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Report Source: Manufacturer
• Source Type: health professional
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup
• Report Date: 11/04/2020

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Is this an Adverse Event Report?: Yes
• Is this a Product Problem Report?: Yes
• Device Operator: Lay User/Patient
• Device Model Number: 40-20904
• Device Catalogue Number: 40-20904
• Device Lot Number: UNKNOWN
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: No
• Initial Date Manufacturer Received: 08/03/2020
• Initial Date FDA Received: 08/27/2020
• Supplement Dates Manufacturer Received: 10/08/2020
• Supplement Dates FDA Received: 11/04/2020
• Is This a Reprocessed and Reused Single-Use Device?: No
• Patient Sequence Number: 1
• Patient Outcome(s): Required Intervention
• Patient Age: 28 YR
• Patient Weight: 104