Conservative care
When appropriate, it is the first step.
- Physiotherapy and guided exercise
- Targeted medication
- Guided diagnostic and therapeutic injections
- Further tests and follow-up over time
Illustrative movement scenes, including generated footage
Private specialist spine care
Supporting your return to movement.
The Art of Spine Care
A specialist opinion, personalised care and a team by your side. Helping you return, step by step, to an active life.
Dr François Lechanoine · Neurosurgeon
San Marino · Milan · Marseille · Monaco · Online
Private visits and care pathways, not covered by the Italian National Health Service (SSN/ASL). A consultation involves no commitment to surgery.
Our philosophy
Movement is not the last stage of care. It is part of care from the very beginning.
Every pathway begins by listening. Then we review your symptoms, the clinical examination and your imaging together, to understand which structure is actually causing the pain and what matters to you.
After a consultation, care often continues with further tests, physiotherapy, conservative treatment or, sometimes, guided injections. Surgery is discussed only when indicated.
Our philosophy
A clear, protected, accompanied pathway.
Your doctor, physiotherapist and other team members build a pathway with you around your needs. Goals and milestones are agreed together, at your own pace.
Prepare
Understand your symptoms, discuss your goals and prepare your body for the care pathway.
Personalise your care
Physiotherapy, pain management or targeted surgery when indicated: the choice follows the assessment.
Move with support
Exercises and rehabilitation guided by your physiotherapist, with or without surgery.
Return to an active life
Gradually resume everyday activities, work or sport, with individual goals.
Coordinated care, not just surgery
Coordination team
Arranges appointments, tests and communication, and remains your point of contact.
Neurosurgeon
Assesses, explains and plans your care pathway with you.
Anaesthetist and pain specialist
Guided injections and personalised anaesthesia.
Physiotherapist
Central to your pathway, with or without surgery.
Nutrition and psychology
When helpful, to support preparation, recovery and confidence.
Where does your pain come from?
Three common situations, explained simply. Only a consultation can tell what really applies to you.
Surgery, when indicated
The least extensive targeted procedure that can be effective.
- Targeted endoscopic decompression as the reference approach
- Respect for anatomy and movement
- Fusion / spinal stabilisation when instability makes it necessary
- Risks and recovery discussed openly
Video consultation
A first opinion, without travelling.
Around 30 minutes with Dr Lechanoine, arranged by the NeuroNEC coordination team. By sharing his screen, he shows you your imaging and discusses the options with you.
- 01
Request
Contact the coordination team: they will get back to you, explain the fee and arrangements, and confirm the appointment.
- 02
Send imaging beforehand
Follow the team’s instructions, at least 24 hours before the video consultation.
- 03
Review it together
An explanation of your imaging and the next steps, followed by a written report.
A trusted person can join you: this is often helpful. Sometimes an in-person consultation is still needed.
Video consultation or in-person visit
A video consultation is our preferred option for a first assessment, when it suits your situation: it often allows an earlier appointment, avoids travel and its costs, and lets you discuss your imaging with the doctor from home. In-person visits are also available in San Marino and, periodically, in Milan at Julius Clinic. Consultations at IM2S in Monaco are also arranged and confirmed by the team. In-person availability is more limited and waiting times are generally longer: the coordination team will give you the first available dates and arrange a visit when it is needed or requested.
Second opinion
Before you decide, another look.
A second opinion is a normal, respectful step for anyone who wants to understand more before an important choice.
- You have been offered surgery or fusion
- You have already had surgery and symptoms persist
- Pain continues despite treatment
The Xperience programme
More than surgery. A pathway back to movement.
When surgery is indicated, Xperience builds an integrated pathway around you, adapted to your individual plan.
- 01
Assessment and preparation
Tests, guidance and preparation, including physiotherapy.
- 02
Personalised anaesthesia
Spinal or locoregional anaesthesia, including awake surgery without general anaesthesia, when appropriate.
- 03
Targeted endoscopy
Targeted decompression through openings of a few millimetres.
- 04
Moving the next day
The programme’s aim, when your clinical condition allows: walking and simple exercises.
- 05
Physiotherapy, nutrition and psychological support
According to your needs.
- 06
Follow-up
Check-ups and contact with the team, through to your return to activity.
Every operation carries risks and a recovery period. Discharge times and return to activity depend on the person and the procedure.
Sport and active living
For those who want to return to sport.
Prehab, rehabilitation, strength, mobility and confidence: a pathway for athletes and active people, with individual progressions and no guaranteed timelines.
The people
A team that knows you by name.
Coordination staff, neurosurgeon, pain specialist, physiotherapist, dietitian and psychologist: professionals who regularly discuss your care pathway.
Minimally invasive and endoscopic spine and brain surgery
Dr François Lechanoine’s experience includes spine surgery and cerebral neuroendoscopy. This pathway focuses on spine care and movement; further information on brain surgery is available on the NeuroNEC institutional website.
Cerebral neuroendoscopy on NeuroNEC (in Italian)Dr François Lechanoine
Neurosurgeon
Dr Valerio Sciascia
Anaesthetist and pain specialist
Steven Menicucci
Physiotherapist
Chiara Ghiselli
Dietitian
Elena Cernuschi
Psychologist
Jasmin Gonzalez
Patient coordination · Back office
Francesca Vasco
Clinical coordination · Front office
Where we see patients
- San Marino
- Nova Clinic.
- Milan
- Julius Clinic, periodic in-person visits; dates via the coordination team.
- Marseille
- Hôpital Privé Clairval; the team will advise on availability.
- Monaco — IM2S
- Institut Monégasque de Médecine et Chirurgie Sportive. Availability arranged and confirmed by the team.
- Online
- Video consultation arranged by the coordination team.
Frequently asked questions
Is the consultation covered by the Italian National Health Service?
Private visits and care pathways, not covered by the Italian National Health Service (SSN/ASL). A consultation involves no commitment to surgery.
Does requesting a consultation mean I will need surgery?
No. The consultation is about understanding. Care often continues with tests, physiotherapy, conservative treatment or guided injections. Surgery is discussed only if indicated, and the decision remains yours.
How do I book?
Sending a request does not mean you have a confirmed booking: the NeuroNEC coordination team will contact you, review your request, explain the fee and arrangements, and confirm your appointment.
Which documents are needed?
Complete imaging (MRI, CT, X-rays: the CD or a link to the images, not just the written report) and previous reports. The coordination team will explain how to send them; they must arrive at least 24 hours beforehand. Do not send them through this website or in your first WhatsApp message.
Where do consultations take place?
A video consultation is our preferred option for a first assessment, when suitable. In-person visits take place in San Marino (Nova Clinic) and, periodically, in Milan (Julius Clinic); the affiliation with Hôpital Privé Clairval in Marseille remains, with availability confirmed by the team. Consultations at IM2S in Monaco are also available, arranged and confirmed by the team. Waiting times for in-person visits are generally longer. If a physical examination is needed, the team will suggest an in-person visit; you can also request one directly from the coordination team. Humanitas San Pio X in Milan is a possible site for surgery, if needed, not for consultations.
Our patients' experiences
4.9 / 5
17 reviews · Google Maps · verified on 22 October 2026
“Anche il personale è stato sempre gentile e attento.” …Read the review on Google
“si è preso a cuore il mio caso” …Read the review on Google
Request a video consultation or an in-person visit.
All requests go through the NeuroNEC coordination team. The simplest way: WhatsApp, with a general message already prepared.
Private visits and care pathways, not covered by the Italian National Health Service (SSN/ASL). A consultation involves no commitment to surgery.