Failed previous surgery
- Persistent or recurring pain after prior spine surgery
- Pseudarthrosis (non-union) on imaging
- Adjacent-segment failure
- Implant complications
SPINE CONDITION
Complex spine cases
Some cases call for the very top of spinal expertise: failed previous surgery, complex deformities, primary or metastatic tumours, post-operative infections. Franchir routes these patients to the French teams that handle hundreds of such files every year.
Recognising the symptoms
Complex spine cases combine pain, functional loss and sometimes red flags. Speed of access to a specialist team often dictates the outcome.
Tumours and infections
- Discitis or spondylodiscitis confirmed on MRI
- Primary spinal tumours
- Vertebral metastases with pain or compression
- Post-operative wound infection
Red flags — emergency
- Rapidly worsening neurological deficit
- Fever associated with localised spinal pain
- Unexplained weight loss and night pain
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Causes and diagnosis
Revision surgery is needed when the first procedure has not delivered the expected outcome — incomplete decompression, pseudarthrosis, recurrent disc herniation or adjacent-segment failure. Each scenario requires a tailored strategy and almost always an experienced surgical team.
Tumours and infections are diagnostic emergencies as well as therapeutic challenges. The window of treatment is short, the technical complexity is high, and outcomes depend on tight coordination between spine surgeons, oncologists, infectious disease specialists and radiologists.
Diagnostic process
- Full review of prior imaging, operative reports and rehabilitation
- Updated MRI, CT and standing X-rays (3D EOS if needed)
- PET-CT, biopsy or blood cultures depending on the suspected diagnosis
- Multidisciplinary tumour board or infection meeting in France
- Personalised plan with realistic objectives and worst-case scenarios discussed
Treatments we offer
We always start with the least invasive option that delivers durable relief. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has failed or red flags are present.
Stage 1
Second opinion and conservative care
For revision cases, a fresh expert review sometimes reveals that conservative care (specific rehab, targeted infiltrations) can avoid another operation.
Stage 2
Targeted revision or biopsy
Limited revision, image-guided biopsy or percutaneous treatment when the goal is to address a single failed component without redoing the entire construct.
Stage 3
Major reconstruction or tumour surgery
Complex revisions, en-bloc tumour resections or hardware overhaul. Combine 3D navigation, neuromonitoring and a multidisciplinary team — the kind of expertise reserved for high-volume centres.
Surgical technology
Why choose Franchir
Treated in 4 to 8 weeks
Dedicated international slots reserved with our French partner surgeons — no 12 to 18 month waiting list.
3D navigation & robotics
Minimally invasive procedures, intra-operative imaging and the latest implants — often unavailable locally.
Fully bilingual pathway
Coordination from Montréal to France in French and English, with your home physician kept in the loop.
Transparent quote
Detailed pricing before any procedure, insurance support and no hidden fees.
Your journey, step by step
Step 1
Initial review
45-minute appointment with our clinical nurse specialist to review imaging, symptoms and history.
Step 2
Specialist file — 48 h
Your case is shared with the most relevant French spine surgeon. Treatment plan delivered within 48 hours.
Step 3
Travel & surgery
Concierge organises stay, transport and admission. Surgery takes place in a partner centre of excellence.
Step 4
Coordinated follow-up
Post-op recovery in Québec with shared follow-up between Franchir's team and your home physician.
Frequently asked questions
For complex cases, an expert second opinion is rarely an emergency in the immediate sense — but waiting weeks or months often makes the problem harder to fix. Franchir delivers an expert review within 48 hours of receiving your file.
Check your eligibility
Send us your imaging and medical history. A specialist reviews your file and confirms whether surgery is the right option — for free.