Tired of feeling an ache in your back every time you sit, stand, or bend over? If conservative treatments aren’t giving you the relief you need, basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA), or the Intracept® procedure, may be the solution you've been looking for.
This innovative, minimally invasive procedure targets the source of chronic low back pain by ablating the basivertebral nerve, which transmits pain signals from the vertebrae.
At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, interventional orthopedic specialist Dr. Vladimir Fiks brings extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating chronic low back pain with BVNA. Dr. Fiks focuses on identifying the underlying cause of your discomfort and uses this advanced technique to stop pain at its source.
Below, we break down what BVNA is and how it can relieve your lower back pain for good:
Deep within the bones of your spine is a network of nerves you can’t see but definitely feel. These basivertebral nerves transmit pain signals from inflamed or damaged vertebrae. When your vertebral bodies and endplates (the part of the bone next to the discs) break down or become injured, these nerves can send pain into overdrive.
BVNA is a groundbreaking approach that targets the basivertebral nerve to block pain signals at their source. This minimally invasive technique uses radiofrequency energy to heat and disable the nerve, preventing it from continuing to send pain messages to your brain.
With BVNA, there’s no need for a lengthy hospital stay. You can treat your pain in our outpatient surgery center and return home quickly. Benefits of the procedure include:
Clinical studies reveal just how effective this procedure is: 64% of patients report a 50% or greater reduction in pain within a year. Even better, long-term research shows these results last for years, offering real hope for those with persistent, debilitating back pain.
BVNA is specifically for people with chronic low back pain that hasn’t improved with physical therapy, injections, or medication. If you’ve been dealing with this pain for at least six months and an MRI confirms changes in your vertebral endplates, this treatment could be for you.
It may even be covered by your insurance. The BVNA procedure is new, but it’s gaining traction with insurance providers. Medicare and many private insurers now cover the treatment if specific criteria are met. Dr. Fiks’ team can guide you through the process to determine if you’re eligible.
At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Fiks is here to help you experience lasting relief from chronic lower back pain. Call us today or schedule a consultation online to see if basivertebral nerve ablation is right for you.
