Typical symptoms
- Constant pain that does not subside at rest
- Pain rated 7/10 or above on most days
- Impossible to sit, stand or walk for long
- Sleep interrupted by pain every night
SPINE CONDITION
Severe back pain
Severe, disabling back pain is never normal. When it stops you from working, sleeping or living your life — and the public system schedules you in 12 months — it is time to call us. Franchir's role is to compress that timeline to a few weeks.
Recognising the symptoms
Severe pain is not just intense — it changes your daily life. The first goal is safety: ruling out red flags that demand immediate care.
When to act
- Severe pain lasting more than 2 weeks
- Increasing reliance on opioids
- Loss of mobility or work absence
- Local pathway proposing a 12 to 18 month wait
Red flags — emergency
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- New leg weakness or foot drop
- Numbness in the saddle area
- Severe pain after a fall, with or without trauma
Causes and diagnosis
Severe back pain has many possible causes — a large herniated disc, a high-grade spondylolisthesis, a tight stenosis, a vertebral fracture, an infection, occasionally a tumour. Some are emergencies; others are simply ignored too long.
What every severe case needs is the same: a rapid, structured assessment. Imaging on time, a senior spine review on time, and a treatment plan on time. That is exactly the gap Franchir fills for Québec patients.
Diagnostic process
- Urgent triage by our clinical nurse specialist in Montréal
- MRI within days when not already available
- Senior spine surgeon review (in person in France or by telehealth)
- Diagnostic blocks when relevant
- Same-week multidisciplinary review and clear next steps
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
Pain control and safety
Rapid analgesic optimisation, screening for red flags, short course of NSAIDs and / or short-acting opioids if strictly necessary, with a clear de-escalation plan.
Stage 2
Targeted infiltrations
Image-guided epidural or selective nerve root infiltration. Often breaks the pain cycle long enough to start rehabilitation and clarify the surgical decision.
Stage 3
Mini-invasive or open surgery
Microdiscectomy, decompression, or instrumented fusion in 3D navigation. Hospital stay 1 to 4 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
Yes — if you have any red flag (cauda equina, fever with pain, severe trauma, rapid leg weakness). For severe but stable pain, the ER will not solve the underlying problem; that is where Franchir adds value, by accelerating access to a real spine specialist.
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.