Artificial Cervical Discs Posted or Updated on 23 Jan 2026

The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has conducted an assessment following reports of osteolysis and early device failure and is issuing new monitoring requirements for patients implanted with the M6-C artificial cervical disc.

The MHRA found that there was a delay in the manufacturer’s communication of the risks of osteolysis, change in indications for use and updates to the product information to users and patients in the UK. Patients implanted with the M6-C artificial cervical disc should be informed of the risks of osteolysis, receive annual routine monitoring and discuss the need for further investigation and continued follow-up.

• trusts/ hospitals should review local records to identify patients implanted with the M6-C device and invite them for active monitoring of their implant
• all identified patients should be contacted to inform them of the active monitoring programme and advised to contact their surgeon if they experience any new or unexpected symptoms
• patients that have the M6-C device implanted should be actively monitored for signs and symptoms of osteolysis
• all patients should receive an anterior-posterior and lateral X-ray of the cervical spine on an annual basis that is reviewed clinically irrespective of whether they have symptoms
• if a patient has symptoms and/or osteolysis is suspected from their X-ray, further scanning such as CT or MRI will be required to evaluate the implant further. Appropriate follow-up should be adjusted based on an individual patient basis
• if a patient has osteolysis, surgeons should discuss the available options with them based on the clinical presentation of the patient. If revisional surgery is required, this should be carried out by a spinal surgeon with experience in revisional cervical spine surgery

Advice for Patients:

• if you experience any new or unexpected symptoms including increasing neck pain, arm pain radiating from the neck, pins and needles in the hands or arm, weakness in the hands or arms electric type sensations into the arms or trunk on neck movements or weakness or loss of balance in their legs, speak to your implanting surgeon or the hospital where your surgery was performed in the first instance
• if you have had an M6-C device implanted, it is important you have had a recent X-ray in the last 12 months
• if you have had an M6-C device implanted, you should expect to be contacted by your surgeon or implanting hospital. There is no need to contact your surgeon or implanting hospital directly if you have no new or unexpected symptoms