Basivertebral Nerve Ablation (Intracept Procedure)
Basivertebral nerve ablation, also called the Intracept procedure, is a minimally invasive treatment for chronic low back pain that starts in the spine. It may help people who have not gotten enough relief from medicines, physical therapy, chiropractic care or spinal injections.
This long-lasting back pain, known as vertebrogenic pain, can happen when the area where the spinal discs connect to the bones of the spine becomes damaged or wears down over time. Aging, repeated stress on the spine or ongoing inflammation may cause these changes.
Some people with vertebrogenic pain have specific changes in their spine that can be seen on an MRI. These changes may irritate the basivertebral nerve, a nerve that carries pain signals from the spine to the brain.
The Intracept procedure aims to interrupt these pain signals by targeting the basivertebral nerve within the vertebral body.
How the procedure works
We perform basivertebral nerve ablation as an outpatient minimally invasive procedure using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance.
During the procedure, our team will:
- Make a small incision in the skin
- Use image guidance to advance specialized instruments into the vertebral body
- Position a radiofrequency probe near the basivertebral nerve
- Use controlled radiofrequency energy to ablate the nerve and interrupt pain transmission.
The procedure targets a specific source of chronic back pain while helping maintain the stability of the spine.
Who is a candidate for this treatment?
Patients may be candidates for basivertebral nerve ablation if they:
- Have chronic low back pain lasting six months or longer that worsens when they lean forward
- Have not gotten enough relief from conservative treatment
- Have pain primarily in the midline low back
- Demonstrate Modic Type 1 or Type 2 endplate changes on MRI
- Have symptoms consistent with vertebrogenic pain after physician evaluation
We will review your imaging results and perform a physical exam to determine whether this procedure is right for you.
Advantages of basivertebral nerve ablation
- Minimally invasive
- Outpatient
- No spinal hardware implanted
- Targets a specific source of chronic low back pain
- May improve pain, function and quality of life
- Typically associated with a relatively quick recovery
For many years, this type of back pain was difficult to diagnose and treat. Advances in minimally invasive spine procedures now allow for more targeted treatment for people who are good candidates for the procedure.
Resources
To visit the Intracept patient website, follow the link below.
Intracept Basivertebral Nerve Ablation at UK HealthCare
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