Typical symptoms
- Neck stiffness or pain limiting head rotation
- Pain or pins-and-needles radiating into an arm
- Hand weakness or clumsiness for fine tasks
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
SPINE CONDITION
Cervical spine conditions
Cervical pain can be a passing nuisance — or the sign of a serious cord compression. The difference matters: a missed cervical myelopathy can become irreversible. Franchir routes Québec patients to the right level of care in the right timeframe.
Recognising the symptoms
Three clinical pictures dominate: muscular neck pain, cervical radiculopathy (arm pain) and cervical myelopathy (cord compression). Each has its own timeline.
When to consult
- Symptoms persisting beyond 4 to 6 weeks
- New hand weakness or grip difficulty
- Difficulty walking or balance changes
- Failure of NSAIDs and physiotherapy
Red flags — emergency
- Severe pain after a fall or car accident
- Bilateral arm or leg weakness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Progressive walking difficulty (myelopathy)
Causes and diagnosis
Cervical pain is most often muscular and self-limited. When pain radiates into the arm, a herniated disc or foraminal stenosis is usually responsible. When hand clumsiness and gait problems appear, central cord compression must be ruled out without delay — this is cervical myelopathy.
Cervical MRI is the cornerstone of diagnosis. Franchir's role is to make sure imaging is done quickly when it is needed, and that a senior surgeon reviews the case before any irreversible decision.
Diagnostic process
- Detailed clinical and neurological exam in Montréal
- Cervical MRI — gold standard for disc and cord
- Standing X-rays for alignment and stability
- EMG when a peripheral cause is suspected
- Multidisciplinary review before surgery
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
Conservative care
Specific neck physiotherapy, ergonomic adjustments, NSAIDs and short courses of muscle relaxants. Effective for most non-radicular cervical pain.
Stage 2
Mini-invasive treatments
Image-guided foraminal infiltration when radiculopathy persists. Endoscopic posterior foraminotomy in selected cases.
Stage 3
Cervical surgery
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), disc arthroplasty or posterior decompression depending on the lesion. Hospital stay 1 to 3 nights, structured return to Canada within 2 to 3 weeks.
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
Cervical myelopathy is a slow compression of the spinal cord at the neck level. It shows up as hand clumsiness, balance issues and gait changes. Once cord damage is established it is often irreversible — early diagnosis and decompression are critical.
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.