Intracept Procedure

What is a Intracept Procedure?

The Intracept Procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed to relieve chronic lower back pain, particularly for patients suffering from vertebrogenic pain—pain originating from the vertebral endplates of the spine.

How It Works:

• Targeting the Basivertebral Nerve: The procedure specifically targets the basivertebral nerve, which is responsible for transmitting pain signals from the vertebral endplates. These nerves are located within the vertebrae of the spine and are believed to play a significant role in chronic lower back pain.

Procedure:

• The patient is positioned on a specialized table, and local anesthesia or conscious sedation is administered.
• Using fluoroscopic guidance (real-time X-ray), a needle-like instrument is inserted into the vertebral body, through a small incision.
• Once the instrument is positioned correctly, radiofrequency energy is delivered to ablate (destroy) the basivertebral nerve, thereby interrupting the transmission of pain signals.

Indications:

• Chronic Lower Back Pain: The Intracept Procedure is typically indicated for patients who have experienced chronic lower back pain for at least six months and have not found relief from conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or spinal injections.
• Vertebrogenic Pain: It's specifically used for patients with vertebrogenic pain, confirmed by MRI to show Modic changes (degenerative changes in the vertebral endplates).

Benefits:

• Long-Term Relief: Clinical studies have shown that the Intracept Procedure can provide significant and lasting pain relief, often improving patients' quality of life and ability to engage in daily activities.
• Minimally Invasive: As a minimally invasive procedure, it typically involves a short recovery time, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days.

Risks:

Potential Risks: As with any procedure, there are risks, including infection, bleeding, or nerve damage, although these are relatively rare. Some patients might not experience the desired level of pain relief.