The INTRACEPT Procedure | Proven Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common disabling medical conditions in the United States affecting millions of people annually
It has been noted that over 80% of the population will experience an episode of disabling low back pain within their lifetime. New research has shown that the bones of the spine, also known as vertebral bodies or vertebra, can be a common source of pain. This is also referred to as vertebrogenic pain. The structure called the basivertebral nerve has been shown to transmit the pain signals from the vertebral bodies. This nerve is the target for new treatments of chronic low back pain.
Symptoms
Several characteristics of one’s low back pain may hint toward a vertebrogenic source of pain such as:
- Increased pain with sitting, bending forward, or coughing/sneezing;
- Constant back pain;
- Pain at night;
- Morning stiffness; or,
- Worsening of symptoms and stiffness with increased exercise.
However, there is a significant overlap of symptoms with other causes of low back pain such as discogenic or facet joint-mediated pain.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of vertebral endplate or vertebrogenic pain can be definitively made only by MRI. An MRI is a very sensitive imaging modality which does not require radiation exposure. More specifically, MRI findings called Modic changes which are associated with inflammation and/or edema of the vertebral body support the presence of vertebrogenic pain.
Treatment
Some patients may not respond to treatments such as medications, spinal injections and physical therapy. The Intracept® procedure provides a treatment option for patients who have not responded to these other non-surgical treatments. It is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, which may provide long lasting relief of chronic vertebrogenic low back pain and associated disability.
If you suffer from chronic back, neck or joint pain and are looking for a non-surgical treatment option, contact us at NERA Spine and Sports Medicine by email or telephone 610-954-9400.
“Get Back to Life Without a Surgical Knife”
Resources
- Relievant Medsystems – The Intracept Procedure
- Fischgrund et al. Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: 2-Year Results From a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Sham-Controlled Multicenter Study. International Journal of Spine Surgery Apr 2019
- Centers for Disease Control – Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults