Around 2000, Medtronic introduced the Bryan, the first-ever cervical disc prosthesis, marking the beginning of a new market segment. Since then, various products and designs have emerged.
In recent years, this market has steadily expanded as an alternative to traditional cervical fusion surgery, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% between 2022 and 2028. Several factors drive this growth, including the increasing prevalence of cervical degenerative conditions and the rising demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures, fueled by technological and design advancements.
Initially, major medical device companies developed and launched their own cervical disc prostheses to meet this growing demand. While some products have established themselves and remain on the market—such as Prodisc-C and Mobi-C—others have disappeared. A notable case is the M6 cervical disc, which gained popularity due to its innovative design that mimicked the natural movement of the cervical spine with a compressible core. However, despite its clinical acceptance, the M6 was ultimately discontinued after Orthofix, its manufacturer, decided to withdraw it from the market. The reasons behind this decision are not entirely clear, but they likely include regulatory challenges, strategic portfolio realignment, and market competition.
Today, we focus on those that failed to gain traction or were discontinued after struggling to reach profitability.
1.-ALTIA TDR-C
It was developed by Amedica. In October 2018 this Corporation was acquired by CTL Medical, a Dallas privately held medical device manufacturer. CTL Amedica does not include today any cervical disc prosthesis in its portfolio. ALTIA TDR-C was made of MC2 silicon nitride and according to the manufacturer, its advantages were:
- Made of MC2 silicon nitride
- Imaging compatible on X-ray and fluoro, with no CT or MRI artifacts
- Patented double saddle articulation geometry
- +/- 3 degrees of axial rotation
- 15° of flexion/extension
- Built-in soft-stop
2.- DISCOCERV
The Discocerv prosthesis was developed by the French company Scient’X acquired by Alphatec Spine in 2010. Recently, a few years ago, it was no longer commercialized.
Its properties were the following:
- Optimized design : Convex upper and lower plates to comply with the anatomical curvature of the disc space
- Security: Bi-directional grooves to avoid antero-posterior and lateral migration of the titanium plates
- Safe and Secure Implant:
- – Ceramic-on-ceramic bearing offers
- – Excellent biocompatibility
- – The lowest wear rate
- – Non-toxic wear particles
- – Prevention from osteolysis
- – Proven experience
- Mobility: Angulation of 9° in the sagittal and coronal planes to preserve the physiological amplitude of a normal disc
- Controlled movement: Perfect joining of the inferior and superior ceramic parts so as to facilitate prosthesis mobility
3.- DISCOVER®
The DISCOVER Artificial Cervical Intervertabral Disc arthroplasty from Depuy was an unconstrained cervical disc prosthesis. The device comprised titanium alloy endplates coated with porous titanium spray and hydroxyapatite, and a central ultra high molecular weight polyethylene articulating core. It is available in a range of sizes and thicknesses.
In December 2017, Centinel Spine acquired the worldwide assets of the prodisc® Total Disc Replacement portfolio from DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. This portfolio included prodisc® C and prodisc® L in the United States and prodisc® VIVO, prodisc® NOVA, prodisc ® C, prodisc® L, and prodisc® O, along with DISCOVER™ Cervical outside the United States.
4.-NUNEC®
In 2012, Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc., announces the successful implantation of 2,000 NuNec Cervical Disc Arthroplasty implants in the EMEA markets. NuNec was the first PEEK (PEEK-OPTIMA® polymer by Invibio®) cervical disc replacement (CDR) launched in Europe. The first NuNec implantation in the EMEA market occurred in Germany in November 2008.
At its core, the NuNec device featured a PEEK ball and socket articulation. The PEEK on PEEK design resulted in improved radiolucency and lower wear rates when compared to metal implants. The device utilized a unique CAM interference screw locking mechanism to provide immediate and primary fixation and the endplates were coated with hydroxyapatite.
In 2012, RTI Biologics® Announced an Agreement to Acquire Pioneer® Surgical Technology. RTI Surgical Holdings Inc. sold in 2020 its original equipment manufacturing business to a private equity firm Montagu Private Equity LLP.After the completion of the deal, RTI Surgical’s name changed to Surgalign Holdings Inc., Now, Surgalign does not include any product related to Motion preservation as the NuNec device.
5.-PHYSIODISC
The Physiodisc cervical disc prosthesis was part of the product portfolio of the company Kisco International. In 2021, in a deal with the Japanese company Otsuka, the manufacturer Teijin agreed to acquire KiSCO’s spine and trauma operations, to start February 2021. Teijin Nakashima does not include Physiodisc cervical in their portfolio.
PHYSIODISC was a cervical disc prosthesis made out of cobalt, chromium and polyethylene which according to the manufacturer restored disc height and ensured mobility between two vertebrae. Designed and manufactured by KISCO International, Physiodisc prostheses were associated with specific instruments and had 3 widths, 3 depths and 3 heights which allowed for a maximum coverage of the vertebral end-plates.
Benefits:
- The trapezoidal shape of the prosthesis allows it to protect the uncus.
- A disc prosthesis with controlled mobility
- Respects articulations. Restores physiological mobility.
- A large product line
- 3 widths, 3 depths, 3 heights. Allows for optimal coverage of the vertebral end-plates.
- Prosthesis supplied pre-assembled
- Facilitates set-up. Saves time. Secure implantation.Cobalt chromium and polyethyleneDependable friction torque.
6.- M6-C
The M6-C Artificial Cervical Disc was originally developed by Spinal Kinetics, a company specialized in intervertebral disc replacement technologies. In 2018, Orthofix acquired Spinal Kinetics, incorporating the M6-C and the M6-L (lumbar version) into its product portfolio. Following the acquisition, Orthofix continued to market the M6-C, establishing a strong market presence until its discontinuation in 2025 as part of a strategic portfolio realignment.
The M6-C Artificial Cervical Disc (Orthofix) was an innovative next-generation option for patients requiring spinal fusion or artificial disc replacement. Unlike conventional implants, the M6-C was uniquely designed to mimic the natural structure and movement of the spine, allowing motion in all directions—up and down, side to side, backward and forward, and rotation. It was also the only disc featuring a gel nucleus and fiber annulus, replicating the controlled range of motion and cushioning effect of a natural disc. This design not only helped restore natural movement but also minimized stress on adjacent spinal levels, reducing the risk of degeneration in surrounding vertebrae.
Since its introduction, the M6-C built a strong clinical track record, with over 70,000 implants performed in more than 20 countries. In 2024, the M6-C and M6-L artificial discs generated global net sales of $23.4 million, reflecting their significant market presence. However, as the spinal market evolved, In 2025 Orthofix decided to discontinue the M6-C to focus on higher-margin, long-term growth segments.
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