Arthrex® AR-12990Recalls & reported problems
Arthrex, Inc. · Knee Scorpion · Class 1
Quick summary
This Arthrex Knee Scorpion is an arthroscopic accessory used in knee surgery. Its 406 adverse event reports often describe jaws and needles breaking, and some describe broken pieces being found in patients. The reports include no deaths and 30 injuries. No recalls name this device. Reports fell from 85 in the earlier year to 38 in the latest year.
AI-generated from the FDA records on this page and checked automatically against the numbers below. Read the details before relying on it.
- Adverse event reports
- 409
- Deaths reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 30
- Recalls naming it
- 0
Summary
The FDA's MAUDE database contains 409 adverse event reports that list this exact device (DI 00888867196322), received between Nov 1, 2016 and Sep 28, 2026 — classified as 30 injuries, 379 malfunctions.
The most frequently reported specific device problem is “Break” (272 reports).
Reports come from manufacturers, hospitals and patients and are not verified by the FDA. A report does not prove the device caused the event, and counts can't be used to compare devices or estimate failure rates. How this data works · Data updated Oct 13, 2026.
Reports received per month
Most reported problems
Device problems
- Break272
- Device Damaged by Another Device65
- Difficult to Open or Close19
- Physical Resistance/Sticking18
- Use of Device Problem14
- Mechanical Jam13
- Failure to Advance7
- Defective Device5
Patient problems
- No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions297
- Insufficient Information90
- Foreign Body In Patient13
- No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient11
- No Code Available6
- Appropriate Clinical Signs, Symptoms and Conditions Term/Code Not Available5
- Failure of Implant4
- Device Embedded In Tissue or Plaque2
Recent adverse event reports
The 25 most recent of 409 reports, in the reporter's own words as published by the FDA.
MalfunctionSep 28, 2026Break
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 50916062 ↗MalfunctionSep 11, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 50736206 ↗MalfunctionSep 11, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 50736011 ↗MalfunctionSep 2, 2026Physical Resistance/Sticking
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 50567106 ↗MalfunctionAug 31, 2026Break
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 50520856 ↗MalfunctionMay 11, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING A MENISCAL REPAIR SURGERY A NEEDLE BROKE INSIDE THE SCORPION PLIER AND REMAIN LODGED INSIDE THE FORCEPS, WHICH PREVENTS NEW NEEDLES FROM BEING INSERTED AND, AS A RESULT, RENDERS THE DEVICE UNUSABLE. PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 25140209 ↗MalfunctionApr 20, 2026Break
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A BROKEN NEEDLE INSIDE THE DEVICE. THIS WAS NOTICED DURING REPROCESSING. THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY REPORTED. UPDATE 13-APR-26: FURTHER INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED THAT AN ARTHREX NEEDLE BROKE DURING A MENISCAL ROOT REINSERTION SURGERY ON (B)(6) 25. THE BROKEN PARTS WERE RETRIEVED FROM THE PATIENT. PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITH A NEW SCORPION DEVICE. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24927833 ↗MalfunctionApr 13, 2026Material Twisted/Bent
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING AN ARTHROSCOPY IT WAS FOUND THAT THE NEEDLE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR USE. PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITH A NEW DEVICE WITH THE SAME PART NUMBER. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY. UPDATE 07-APR-2026: FURTHER INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED THAT THE ATTEMPT TO SUTURE THE MENISCUS, THE NEEDLE BECAME BENT AND COULD NOT BE REUSED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24863559 ↗MalfunctionApr 8, 2026Break
ON 16-MAR-2026, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-12990 KNEE SCORPION TOP JAW HAD BEEN BROKEN OFF. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A PROCEDURE WITH NO PATIENT HARM.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24816566 ↗MalfunctionApr 1, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
ON (B)(6) 2026, AN ARTHREX EMPLOYEE REPORTED VIA EMAIL THAT THE AR-12990N SCORPION NEEDLE, KNEE BATCH 15386602 BECAME STUCK AND SUBSEQUENTLY BROKE INSIDE THE KNEE SCORPION SUTURE PASSER. THE ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED DURING A QUADS ACL RECONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE. NO PIECE(S) BROKE OFF INSIDE THE PATIENT, AND THE PROCEDURE WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED BY MANUALLY STITCHING THE TENDON.
Patient problems: Insufficient Information
MAUDE report 24755989 ↗MalfunctionMar 26, 2026Use of Device Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING A ROOT REPAIR SURGERY THE TIP OF A NEEDLE BROKE OFF. THE BROKEN PIECE WAS RETRIEVED OUT OF THE PATIENT. IT WAS FURTHER REPORTED THAT THE SURGEON ATTEMPTED TO INSERT TWO ADDITIONAL NEEDLES INTO THE SCORPION OUTSIDE THE PATIENT WHICH THEN BROKE OFF AS WELL. PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITH A NEW DEVICE WITH THE SAME PART NUMBER. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24701109 ↗MalfunctionMar 24, 2026Break
ON 04-MAR-2026, A DISTRIBUTOR REPORTED VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-12990 KNEE SCORPION CAME FROM THE OFFICE LOANER AND WAS DAMAGED ON ARRIVAL. ON THE FIRST PASS DURING A CASE, THE SCORPION BROKE, AND THE PIECES WERE RETRIEVED. NO PATIENT WAS AFFECTED. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED ON 13-MAR-2026. THE REP ADVISED THEY WOULD BEST DESCRIBE IT AS THE UPPER JAW OF THE KNEE SCORPION BROKE.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24673049 ↗MalfunctionMar 2, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
ON 12TH FEBRUARY 2026, IT WAS REPORTED BY AN ARTHREX EMPLOYEE VIA EMAIL THAT FOR AN AR-12990, KNEE SCORPION¿, THE KNEE SCORPION NEEDLE SNAPPED INSIDE THE KNEE SCORPION AND JAMMED THE WHOLE DEVICE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DISLODGE THE BROKEN NEEDLE FRAGMENT. THIS WAS DETECTED DURING A MENISCAL ROOT REPAIR PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2026. THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY AS ANOTHER MENISCAL ROOT TRAY WAS OPENED AND THEY USED A DIFFERENT KNEE SCORPION AND NEEDLE.
Patient problems: Insufficient Information
MAUDE report 24484188 ↗MalfunctionFeb 27, 2026Use of Device Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING THE REFIXATION OF THE POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT, THE NEEDLE BROKE WHILE FIRING WITH THE KNEE SCORPION. THE BROKEN PIECE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE PATIENT. PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITH A NEW DEVICE WITH THE SAME PART NUMBER. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24470524 ↗MalfunctionFeb 23, 2026Break
ON 05-FEB-2026, A SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED VIA (B)(4) THAT THE AR-12990N SCORPION NEEDLE BROKE OFF INSIDE A PATIENT AND WAS LEFT INSIDE THE PATIENT. THIS ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED DURING A CASE WITH NO PATIENT HARM.
Patient problems: Foreign Body In Patient
MAUDE report 24413916 ↗MalfunctionFeb 20, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
ON 04-FEB-2026, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-12990 KNEE SCORPION NEEDLE BROKE OFF INSIDE OF THE BARREL AND IS UNABLE TO SIT A NEW NEEDLE. THIS OCCURRED DURING USE IN A CASE WITH NO PATIENT IMPACT.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24402473 ↗MalfunctionFeb 20, 2026Break
ON 04-FEB-2026, IT WAS REPORTED BY N ARTHREX SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYEE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-12990 KNEE SCORPION HAD A BROKEN NEEDLE IN THE INSTRUMENT AND WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. NO CASE INVOLVEMENT WAS REPORTED. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED 06-FEB-2026: IT WAS FURTHER REPORTED THIS DISCOVERED DURING USE IN A PROCEDURE WITH NO PATIENT HARM. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE INSTRUMENT, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO SO, AND THE CASE WAS COMPLETED WITH ANOTHER DEVICE.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24400248 ↗MalfunctionFeb 20, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
ON 04-FEB-2026, IT WAS REPORTED BY N ARTHREX SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYEE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-12990 KNEE SCORPION HAD A BROKEN NEEDLE IN THE INSTRUMENT AND WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. NO CASE INVOLVEMENT WAS REPORTED. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED 06-FEB-2026: IT WAS FURTHER REPORTED THIS DISCOVERED DURING USE IN A PROCEDURE WITH NO PATIENT HARM. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE INSTRUMENT, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO SO, AND THE CASE WAS COMPLETED WITH ANOTHER DEVICE.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24400124 ↗MalfunctionFeb 16, 2026Break
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING THE MENISCAL ROOT REPAIR, THE NEEDLE BROKE WHEN IT WAS INSERTED THROUGH THE MENISCUS. PART OF THE BROKEN NEEDLE REMAINED IN THE MENISCUS. PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITH THE SAME DEVICE WAS USED ANYWAY. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY.
Patient problems: Foreign Body In Patient
MAUDE report 24343947 ↗MalfunctionFeb 16, 2026Use of Device Problem
ON (B)(6) 2026, IT WAS REPORTED BY AN ARTHREX SUBSIDIARY EMPLOYEE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-12990N SCORPION NEEDLE TIP BROKE. IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING A MENISCAL ROOT REPAIR SURGERY A SCORPION HANDPIECE WAS USED, AND WHEN THE STITCH WAS PASSED THROUGH THE ROOT, THE TIP OF THE ROOT BROKE. NO PATIENT HARM WAS REPORTED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24343298 ↗MalfunctionFeb 9, 2026Break
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING A SURGERY, THE TIP OF THE NEEDLE BROKE OFF WHEN FIRED WITH THE AR-12990. THE BROKEN PIECE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE PATIENT. PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT THE NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL DEVICE. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY. UPDATE 27-JAN-2026 - FURTHER INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED: IT WAS REPORTED DURING A SURGERY, THE JAW OF THE AR-12990 BROKE OFF WHEN THE NEEDLE WAS ACTIVATED. THE BROKEN PIECE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE PATIENT. PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT THE NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL DEVICE. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24291588 ↗MalfunctionFeb 3, 2026Break
ON 13-JAN-2026, A SALES REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED VIA PHONE THAT DURING A MENISCAL ROOT REPAIR PROCEDURE ON (B)(6) 2026, AN AR-4551 SUTURELOC MENISCAL ROOT REPAIR KIT EXPERIENCED TWO ISSUES. FIRST, THE KNEE SCORPION NEEDLE BROKE WHILE PASSING THE SUTURE; THE FRAGMENT WAS RETRIEVED. SECOND, A PORTION OF THE PASSPORT BUTTON CANNULA BROKE DURING PLACEMENT IN THE PATIENT; THIS FRAGMENT WAS ALSO RETRIEVED. THE CASE WAS DELAYED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL ANESTHESIA. NO PATIENT HARM WAS REPORTED. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED ON 19-JAN-2026: THE AR-12990 KNEE SCORPION DEVICE WAS USED WITH THE KNEE SCORPION NEEDLE DURING THE PROCEDURE. NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED TO THE AR-12990 KNEE SCORPION DEVICE.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24246851 ↗MalfunctionJan 26, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
ON 12-JAN-2026, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-12990 KNEE SCORPION NEEDLE BROKE OFF IN THE DEVICE AFTER THE THIRD TISSUE PASS. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A QUAD ACL RECONSTRUCTION WITH NO PATIENT HARM.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24178460 ↗MalfunctionJan 26, 2026Device Damaged by Another Device
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING AN ARTHROSCOPY SURGERY THE NEEDLE BROKE INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT AR-12990 (LOT: 15323014). PER COMPLAINT REPORTER THERE WAS NO HARM FOR PATIENT, OPERATOR OR THIRD PARTY. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITH A NEW DEVICE WITH THE SAME PART NUMBER. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24177302 ↗MalfunctionJan 23, 2026Break
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING THE REPAIR OF A RADIAL POSTERIOR MENISCUS TEAR, THE TIP OF THE NEEDLE BROKE OFF. THE BROKEN PIECE REMAINED IN THE PATIENT´S KNEE. THE SURGERY WAS FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY WITH A DIFFERENT DEVICE (AR-4580). IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO SWITCH THE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE OR DO A SECOND SURGERY.
Patient problems: Foreign Body In Patient
MAUDE report 24161780 ↗
Other Accessories, arthroscopic devices
- NA 228302Medos International Sàrl · ACCESSORIES,ARTHROSCOPIC287 reports
- FIRSTPASS 72290128Smith & Nephew, Inc. · ACCESSORIES,ARTHROSCOPIC232 reports
- NA 251723Medos International Sàrl · ACCESSORIES,ARTHROSCOPIC145 reports
- COBRA 3910900093Stryker Corporation · Accessories, arthroscopic138 reports
- FirstPass 72290129Smith & Nephew, Inc. · Accessories, arthroscopic82 reports
- FirstPass 72290130Smith & Nephew, Inc. · Accessories, arthroscopic80 reports
- MITEK 242025Medos International Sàrl · ACCESSORIES,ARTHROSCOPIC61 reports
- ENDOBUTTON 72202971Smith & Nephew, Inc. · ACCESSORIES,ARTHROSCOPIC57 reports
Sources: FDA GUDID, MAUDE and Medical Device Recalls via openFDA. openFDA data is not validated for clinical or regulatory use.