Arthrex® AR-8970JDRecalls & reported problems
Arthrex, Inc. · Mini Joint Distractor/Compressor · Class 1
- Adverse event reports
- 10
- Deaths reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Recalls naming it
- 0
Summary
The FDA's MAUDE database contains 10 adverse event reports that list this exact device (DI 00888867307377), received between Apr 18, 2024 and Mar 24, 2026 — classified as 10 malfunctions.
The most frequently reported specific device problem is “Physical Resistance/Sticking” (4 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
- Physical Resistance/Sticking4
- Break1
- Defective Device1
- Difficult to Open or Close1
- Mechanical Jam1
- Positioning Failure1
- Retraction Problem1
Patient problems
- No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions8
- Insufficient Information2
Recent adverse event reports
The 10 most recent of 10 reports, in the reporter's own words as published by the FDA.
MalfunctionMar 24, 2026Positioning Failure
ON 4-MAR-2026, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-8970JD JOINT DISTRACTOR WILL DEPRESS BUT NOT DISTRACT. NOTICED DURING A CASE, DEVICE SWAPPED, AND CASE COMPLETED WITH NO PATIENT EFFECT.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 24673172 ↗MalfunctionNov 5, 2025Physical Resistance/Sticking; Physical Resistance/Sticking
ON 10/27/2025, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-8970JD MINI JOINT DISTRACTOR/COMPRESSOR HAD A WIRE COLD WELD INTO THE PIN DISTRACTOR. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING THE CASE WITH NO PATIENT HARM.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 23475161 ↗MalfunctionJan 29, 2025Physical Resistance/Sticking; Physical Resistance/Sticking
ON 01/06/2025, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-8970JD MINI JOINT DISTRACTOR/COMPRESSORS SWITCH TO FLIP THE DISTRACTOR FROM COMPRESSION-NEUTRAL-DISTRACTION POSITIONS, IS DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. THIS OCCURRED DURING A CASE AND CAUSE NO HARM ON THE PATIENT.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 21264012 ↗MalfunctionJun 19, 2024Break; Break
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE AR-8970JD KNOB BROKE FOLLOWING PLACEMENT OF TWO 2.4MM GUIDE WIRES FOR TALONAVICULAR JOINT DISTRACTION WITH DEBRIDEMENT. THE KNOB WAS DROPPED OUTSIDE OF THE PATIENT, GUIDE WIRES WERE REMOVED AND A SMALL JOINT DISTRACTOR WAS USED IN ITS PLACE. THE TENSIONING KNOB WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE OPERATING ROOM FLOOR FOLLOWING CASE COMPLETION.
Patient problems: Insufficient Information
MAUDE report 19566832 ↗MalfunctionJun 19, 2024Physical Resistance/Sticking; Physical Resistance/Sticking
IT WAS REPORTED THAT ONE OF THE ARMS ON THE DISTRACTOR IS LOCKING UP AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 19566529 ↗MalfunctionJun 13, 2024Mechanical Jam; Mechanical Jam
ON 10/13/2022, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA SEMS THAT A AR-8970JD MINI JOINT DISTRACTOR/COMPRESSOR BECAME JAMMED. THIS OCCURRED DURING AN UNKNOWN CASE ON (B)(6) 2022, THE CASE CONTINUED, WITH NO PATIENT EFFECT REPORTED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 19527008 ↗MalfunctionMay 20, 2024Physical Resistance/Sticking; Physical Resistance/Sticking
ON 04/13/2022, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA (B)(4) THAT AN AR-8970JD MINI JOINT DISTRACTOR/COMPRESSOR WOULDN'T UNLOCK PROPERLY AFTER BEING DISTRACTED. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING USE WITH NO IMPACT TO THE PATIENT.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 19351154 ↗MalfunctionMay 14, 2024Difficult to Open or Close; Difficult to Open or Close
IT WAS REPORTED ON 04/10/2022 BY A FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE VIA SEMS THAT AN AR-8970JD JOINT DISTRACTOR IS STUCK. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A CASE WITH NO PATIENT HARM.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 19308744 ↗MalfunctionMay 7, 2024Retraction Problem; Retraction Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT DURING A SURGERY THERE WERE TWO PROBLEMS. THE SCREW DRIVER FOR 4,5 MM SCREWS WITH THE GOLDEN TIP DIDN´T FIT IN THE CORTICAL SCREW AR-8545-XX PROPERLY. AND THE MINI JOINTS DISTRACTOR AR-8970JD JAMMED AND ONLY COULD EXTRACT, BUT NOT COMPRESS.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 19261482 ↗MalfunctionApr 18, 2024Defective Device; Defective Device
ON 03/22/2024, IT WAS REPORTED BY A SALES REPRESENTATIVE VIA SEMS-06522233 THAT AN AR-8970JD MINI JOINT DISTRACTOR/COMPRESSOR FAILED DURING A CASE. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION HAS BEEN ASKED.
Patient problems: Insufficient Information
MAUDE report 19130935 ↗
Other Apparatus, traction, non-powered devices
- Arthrex® AR-1600MArthrex, Inc. · Apparatus, traction, non-powered21 reports
- Active Heel Traction Boot 72203270Smith & Nephew, Inc. · APPARATUS, TRACTION, NON-POWERED20 reports
- NA 357.371Synthes GmbH · APPARATUS, TRACTION, NON-POWERED16 reports
- NA SD393.640Synthes GmbH · APPARATUS, TRACTION, NON-POWERED15 reports
- NA 394.44Synthes GmbH · APPARATUS, TRACTION, NON-POWERED12 reports
- Active Heel Traction Boot 72202682Smith & Nephew, Inc. · APPARATUS, TRACTION, NON-POWERED10 reports
- NA 72201725Smith & Nephew, Inc. · APPARATUS, TRACTION, NON-POWERED8 reports
- Pivot Guardian 3105000100Stryker Corporation · Apparatus, traction, non-powered6 reports
Sources: FDA GUDID, MAUDE and Medical Device Recalls via openFDA. openFDA data is not validated for clinical or regulatory use.