Howmedica Triathlon Baseplate Recall: Locking Tabs May Not Engage Properly
Howmedica recalls Triathlon Universal TS Baseplate Size 2 for potential improper locking with tibial inserts during knee surgery. Affected units have specific catalog and lot numbers.
Lower-risk recall
Anterior locking tabs on the Triathlon Universal Baseplate are out of specification which may prevent engagement of either of the two locking tabs with the locking wire of the tibial insert.
Contact the company & request your remedy
What happened, in plain English
Howmedica is recalling a specific knee surgery implant baseplate that may not lock correctly with the tibial insert, risking improper joint fixation. This could lead to instability or complications after surgery. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/54089-howmedica-triathlon-baseplate-recall-locking-tabs-may-not-engage-properly.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/54089-howmedica-triathlon-baseplate-recall-locking-tabs-may-not-engage-properly · Updated August 19, 2026 · FDA enforcement record: FDA #Z-0023-2025
Cite this page
“Howmedica Triathlon Baseplate Recall: Locking Tabs May Not Engage Properly.” GovInfoNow, updated August 19, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/54089-howmedica-triathlon-baseplate-recall-locking-tabs-may-not-engage-properly. Based on FDA recall #Z-0023-2025 (https://api.fda.gov/device/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22Z-0023-2025%22&limit=1).
Why it’s dangerous
The anterior locking tabs on the baseplate may not engage properly with the locking wire of the tib:ibial insert. This could cause the implant to become unstable during surgery or after implantation, potentially leading to joint misalignment or complications.
Who’s affected
Patients undergoing knee replacement surgery using this specific baseplate model are affected. Surgeons and medical staff using the Triathlon Knee System are most at risk during implantation.
How to tell if you have this one
Check for catalog number 5521-B-200 and lot numbers LZX4LB or OLH7VA on the baseplate packaging or device. This product is used in total knee replacement procedures with the Triathlon Knee System.
- Brand
Howmedica- Category
Medical device
What to do — step by step
Check Product Details
Verify the catalog number (5521-B-200) and lot numbers (LZX4LB, OLH7VA) on the baseplate packaging or device.
Where it went and when
Where it was distributed
Distributed nationwide; the notice names 8 states.
FDA distribution: “US Nationwide distribution in the states of AZ, FL, NC, OH, PA, TN, WI. Stryker issued Urgent Medical Device Recall (UMDR) PFA 3554908 by third party Sedgwick on September 04, 2024, via UPS 2-day air. Letter states reason for recall,…” States read from FDA’s own wording; “not listed” means the notice does not name it.
Named in the notice: Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
Recall timeline
FDA published this recall 42 days after the firm started it.
- Firm started the recall
- FDA classified it Class II
- Published in FDA’s Enforcement Report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Questions people ask
Is this product used in knee surgery?
Yes, this is a single-use sterile implantable device for cemented applications during primary and revision Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) when the Triathlon Knee System is selected.
Contact Howmedica
We’ve drafted a message you can send Howmedica to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall Z-0023-2025 — Howmedica Triathlon Baseplate Recall: Locking Tabs May Not Engage Properly Hello, I own a Howmedica Triathlon Baseplate Recall: Locking Tabs May Not Engage Properly that is covered by recall Z-0023-2025 from Howmedica. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official FDA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: FDA Recall #Z-0023-2025 (September 4, 2024) — FDA publishes no per-recall page; this is the official machine-readable enforcement record. Search FDA recalls for Z-0023-2025 to see it in context.
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 19, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the FDA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official FDA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.