Orthofix Firebird NXG Spinal Fixation Planer Recall: Bone Screw Scoring Risk
Orthofix recalls Firebird NX: Spinal Fixation Decorticating Planer (Catalog #36-1334) due to missing plastic core that may score bone screws when used at 23 degrees or steeper. Affected patients should contact Orthofix for details.
Use caution until it’s fixed
The plastic core of the Decorticating Planer was found to be missing, which could result in scoring of the bone screw neck if used at or beyond a 23 degree angle.
Contact the company
What happened, in plain English
Orthofix is recalling a specific spinal surgery tool because its plastic core might be missing, which could cause bone screws to get scored if used at angles of 23 degrees or more. This is a serious risk during spinal surgery procedures. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/73261-orthofix-firebird-nxg-spinal-fixation-planer-recall-bone-screw-scoring.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/73261-orthofix-firebird-nxg-spinal-fixation-planer-recall-bone-screw-scoring · Updated September 19, 2026 · FDA enforcement record: FDA #Z-3127-2017
Cite this page
“Orthofix Firebird NXG Spinal Fixation Planer Recall: Bone Screw Scoring Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated September 19, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/73261-orthofix-firebird-nxg-spinal-fixation-planer-recall-bone-screw-scoring. Based on FDA recall #Z-3127-2017 (https://api.fda.gov/device/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22Z-3127-2017%22&limit=1).
Why it’s dangerous
The plastic core of the planer can be missing, which may cause the bone screw neck to be scored when the device is used at or beyond a 23-degree angle. This scoring could compromise the stability of the spinal screw fixation.
Who’s affected
Patients who have received the Firebird NXG Spinal Fixation Decorticating Planer (Catalog #36-1334) for spinal surgery are most at risk. The device is used by surgeons during spinal procedures.
How to tell if you have this one
Check for the catalog number 36-1334 on the device. The Firebird NXG Spinal Fixation Decorticating Planer is used in spinal surgery to clear bone around implanted screws.
- Brand
Orthofix- Category
Medical device
What to do — step by step
Check Device
Look for the catalog number 36-1334 on the decorticating planer to confirm if it's affected.
Where it went and when
Where it was distributed
Distributed in 3 states.
FDA distribution: “Distribution was made to distributors located in CA, FL, and RI. There was no foreign/military/government distribution.” States read from FDA’s own wording; “not listed” means the notice does not name it.
States: California, Florida, Rhode Island.
Recall timeline
FDA terminated this recall 9 months after the firm started it.
- Firm started the recall
- FDA classified it Class II
- Published in FDA’s Enforcement Report
- FDA terminated the recall
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
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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-3127-2017 (August 2, 2017) — FDA publishes no per-recall page; this is the official machine-readable enforcement record. Search FDA recalls for Z-3127-2017 to see it in context.
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on September 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.