Thousands could face agonising spinal surgery – and potential paralysis – after life-saving bone implant is pulled from sale over safety fears

Thousands of people in the UK could face agonising spinal surgery after a widely used spinal implant was pulled from sale over fears it can trigger a bone–destroying condition.

Patients fitted with the M6–C artificial disc have also been called back for urgent scans after the device was linked to osteolysis, a progressive condition in which bone tissue is destroyed and absorbed by the body.

The implant, used to replace damaged discs in the neck, had been marketed as an alternative to spinal fusion surgery, which involves fitting metal rods to stabilise the spine.

But lawyers warn thousands of patients could now be affected, with many potentially needing complex procedures to remove the device – operations that can carry a risk of paralysis and long–term chronic pain.

Manufacturer Orthofix announced it would discontinue the M6–C disc in February 2025 after it was removed from sale worldwide.

Law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper said it has already been contacted by at least 10 patients, but believes the true number affected could run into the thousands.

The firm is now exploring whether legal action can be taken against the manufacturer.

One patient, Sophia Harrison, 52, from East Grinstead, East Sussex, had the implant fitted in 2019.

Two years later, she began experiencing pins and needles in her hands. Around the same time, she noticed a lump in her throat that affected her voice and swallowing, but did not realise the symptoms could be linked.

After later receiving a letter from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), she underwent a CT scan to check for osteolysis.

The scan revealed a large mass, which turned out to be a 10cm abscess.

She said: ‘My doctor said he nearly fell off his chair looking at the results as the infection continued to grow despite being drained.

‘I can feel it growing again by the day and I’ve now been told they may have to take out two further discs along with the implant and insert a metal rod.

‘I’m speaking out as I want to raise awareness and tell people who have this implant to have a scan as soon as they can so that they can avoid what is happening to me.

‘You may not even be aware you have an associated infection or other symptoms.’

Regulators in Australia first issued a hazard alert about the device in 2020 over concerns about bone loss.

However, UK patients were not informed until years later, prompting anger from those affected.

In January, the MHRA warned of the implant’s links to osteolysis and advised that patients should undergo regular monitoring.

Ms Harrison said: ‘I am so angry that we weren’t told about the faults of the disc that leads to bones disintegrating.

‘It’s absolutely despicable – the manufacturer would have known about this, so why has it taken so long?

‘If I had known earlier, the infection would have been caught and I would not be facing what has now become such complex and daunting surgeries on my spine.’

Lyndsey Skibinski, a specialist medical negligence solicitor at Penningtons Manches Cooper, said: ‘This is a potentially huge public health issue with thousands of patients affected.

‘Many will need complex surgery to remove the implants, which poses the risk of paralysis or long–term chronic pain.

‘We are currently investigating the legal options open to those we are advising to see how we can secure justice for the trauma and suffering they are experiencing.’

Dr Stephanie Millican, deputy director of benefit risk evaluation at the MHRA, said the regulator launched an investigation into the device after receiving reports in early 2025.

She said there had been a delay in the manufacturer communicating the risks of osteolysis to patients and healthcare professionals in the UK.

‘Patient safety is our top priority,’ she added.

The MHRA has advised that patients with the implant should be informed of the risks, undergo routine monitoring and discuss any concerns with their specialist.

Patients are expected to be contacted by their surgeon or hospital, and anyone experiencing symptoms is urged to seek medical advice.