Intracept

Chronic low back pain makes life difficult for millions of people in the United States, as this type of pain can make it challenging to live everyday life. While there are many causes of lower back pain, one cause is pain from inside the bones of the spine called vertebrae. Due to a significant amount of research throughout the last several decades, it is now seen that vertebrae are the source of pain in many patients diagnosed with disk pain. Vertebrae stemming back pain is often exacerbated because it is transmitted via a nerve inside the vertebra called the basivertebral nerve, which travels across the lower back causing pain.

As a leading provider of back pain treatments in Grand Junction, our team at Western Rockies Interventional Pain Specialists would like to introduce a revolutionary procedure named Intracept, which has shown positive results for many patients suffering from lower back pain. Our team is here to help you find the relief you need to live your best life, so read below to find out more about this procedure and contact us for further information today!

What Is The Intracept Procedure?

A basivertebral nerve ablation, known as an Intracept procedure, is an outpatient, minimally invasive process in which a specialized probe is inserted into the vertebrae and radiofrequency energy is used to disable the nerve, thus blocking the transmission of pain signals. This procedure is quick, lasting around an hour and a half, and neither implants nor any significant changes to the spine are involved. Depending on the patient's needs, it is performed while they are under a general anesthetic or sedation.

Who Is A Candidate for The Intracept Procedure?

If you have been struggling with low back pain for at least six months and have not received relief from physical therapy, Intracept basivertebral nerve ablation may be an option for you. Particularly if you have been told that no one knows the source of your pain or that it is stemming from a disc-related issue and has not responded to conventional treatment. Vertebral endplate nerve dysfunction can be difficult to diagnose and may be missed, even when an MRI is conducted. To determine if you may have this condition and be a candidate for Intracept, it is essential to ask yourself these three questions:

1. Have you had chronic low back pain lasting more than six months?

2. After attempting conservative treatments such as medication and physical therapy for at least six months, have you not received relief or the relief didn't last?

3. Have you been told the cause of your lower back pain is a disc problem or unknown?

If the answer to these questions is yes, you should be assessed for vertebral endplate nerve dysfunction and the potential to be treated with Intercept. Our team at Western Rockies Interventional Pain Specialists can help assess whether or not this procedure is right for you, and if you are a candidate, we can also provide you with the relief you need.

The Intracept Procedure Process

Through a minimally invasive, implant-free procedure, Western Rockies Interventional Pain Specialists will sedate you and make two one-centimeter incisions in the back. The surgeon then strategically places a heat probe on the basivertebral nerve and uses radiofrequency energy to precisely sever the nerve's connection to the brain. This action disrupts the transmission of pain signals while leaving the majority of the nerve intact.

Step 1 — Access the Pedicle

Step 2 — Create the Channel

Step 3 — Place the RF Probe

Step 4 — Ablate the Basivertabral Nerve F

Benefits

Minimally Invasive Outpatient Procedure
Targets the Basivertebral Nerve
Preserves Future Treatment Options (Implant Free)
Procedure Can Be Complete in As Little As 90 Minutes
Pain Relief

If you are currently suffering from chronic back pain and feel like the Intracept procedure may be perfect for you, contact our team at Western Rockies Interventional Pain Specialist for more information. We are here to help you live your best life, pain free!