Basivertebral Nerve Ablation

There are many reasons why a person might experience chronic low back pain. In addition to general feeling of sprain and strain, one condition that can lead to intense feelings of pain is vertebrogenic pain. This type of pain can sometimes be treated with pain medications, physical therapy, but basivertebral nerve ablation is often recommended to provide patients with long-term relief. If you are suffering with chronic low back pain and have yet to find relief, the Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists in the Reno, Sparks and Carson City areas can help determine if basivertebral nerve ablation is right for you. 

What is Basivertebral Nerve Ablation?

Also known as the Intracept® procedure, basivertebral nerve ablation is a minimally-invasive treatment for chronic lower back pain that is caused by vertebrogenic pain, which stems from vertebral endplate nerve dysfunction. 

Vertebra is “vertebro” and pain that begins in is “genic” so this means pain that is felt in the back. The most common reason why a person might experience vertebrogenic pain is where there is damage to the endplates in the vertebrae, which are the bones in the spine. These endplates are located between each vertebrae and the spinal discs, which are rubbery discs that help to cushion the spine, and act as protective barriers for the spine as a whole. They also carry blood and nutrients to the discs, which helps them keep their function and structure. Damage to these endplates, whether through trauma or a health condition, can cause pain at the basivertebral nerve that is located inside the vertebrae. 

What makes basivertebral nerve ablation so successful for treating this specific cause of low back pain is because it targets the basivertebral nerves that run through the vertebrae and branch off into each endplate. The Intracept® procedure uses radiofrequency energy to heat a specific point on the basivertebral nerve. This essentially destroys, or ablates, the nerve and prevents pain sensations from being sent to and received by the brain. 

Pain management specialists often recommend conservative methods first, such as pain medications, injections and physical therapy, with the goal to relieve pain. If those fail to work, then the Intracept® procedure is a safe, effective and minimally-invasive option that can help a person avoid spinal surgery.

Who is a Candidate for Intracept®?

Patients who have experienced chronic low back pain for a period of at least six months are an ideal candidate for Intracept®. It also boils down to diagnosis. Those who have been told they have a disc problem but haven’t been able to find relief with physical therapy can benefit. Also, those who have been unable to find a diagnosis in the first place can benefit. Due to the fact that vertebral endplate nerve dysfunction isn’t widely or properly diagnosed, it’s important to partner with a trained pain management specialist who utilizes the best and newest diagnostic tools so that you can enjoy tailored treatment. 

Please reach out to the Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists in the Reno, Sparks and Carson City areas if this sounds like your current low back pain situation: 

1. You have experienced low back pain for at least six months
2. You’ve tried conservative pain management methods but haven’t found relief or continued relied
3. You have received a diagnosis for a disc issue or no diagnosis at all

Receiving a correct diagnosis is key for receiving the proper treatment. The goal is to always utilize the most conservative treatment options first, and most cases of low back pain can be resolved with pain medication and physical therapy. However, if that isn’t the case with your chronic low back pain, then basivertebral nerve ablation could provide you the relief you need. 

What Does the Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Procedure Involve?

The Intracept® procedure is an out-patient procedure, meaning that the patient is able to return home the same day. Due to the fact that the patient will receive general anesthesia, they will need someone to drive them home. 

Once the patient is lying down on an exam table and comfortably sedated, the provider will make a small incision and use fluoroscopy guidance to insert and place a hollow tube into the vertebrae. They will then create a channel to where the basivertebral nerve enters the vertebrae and insert a small radiofrequency probe directly into the basivertebral nerve. They will then heat the probe, which damages (ablates) the basivertebral nerve. Once complete, the incision is closed with sutures. 

The entire procedure can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes from start to finish. Patients are able to return home once the sedation wears off, and are encouraged to rest for the next few days. Most patients report immediate feelings of pain relief, but could experience some discomfort from the procedure itself, which is only temporary. 

What are the Benefits and Risks of the Intracept® Procedure?

For those who qualify, the benefits of the Intracept® procedure are great. These include: 

• A minimally-invasive treatment option that helps to avoid spine surgery
• Effective for treating chronic low back pain specifically caused by vertebrogenic pain
• Long-lasting pain relief
• Shorter recovery time when compared to traditional back surgery

Most patients are able to return to work within a few days, and have a full recovery in just one or two weeks after the procedure. In regard to long-term pain relief, the majority of patients who underwent the Intracept® procedure experienced almost complete pain relief for up to five years. This is an amazing result especially considering that these patients weren’t able to find any pain relief prior to the procedure. 

Another benefit of the procedure is that complications aren’t common. The complications, if they do occur, can include bleeding and infection at the procedure site, nerve damage, and possible increase of back pain. 

If you are suffering from chronic low back pain for six months or longer, have been told that you might have a disc issue or aren’t able to be diagnosed, and haven’t been able to find sustained relief, basivertebral nerve ablation via the Intracept® procedure could be the best treatment option for you. Please schedule an appointment with the Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists in the Reno, Sparks and Carson City areas so that we may answer all your questions and determine if you’re a candidate.