Intracept ™

A clinically proven treatment targeting the source of vertebrogenic low back pain — delivering meaningful, long-lasting relief without implants.

What is Vertebrogenic Pain?

Vertebrogenic pain is a distinct type of chronic low back pain caused by damage to vertebral endplates — the tissue that covers the top and the bottom of each vertebral body and separates it from the disc.

Disc degeneration, and the wear and tear that occurs with everyday living, produces stresses on the endplates that damage them, leading to inflammation and vertebrogenic pain. The basivertebral nerve (BVN), found within the vertebrae, carries pain signals from the inflamed endplates to the brain.

How Vertebrogenic Pain Develops

The degenerative process follows a clear progression — from a healthy disc to endplate damage, inflammation, and pain signaling through the basivertebral nerve.

Normal healthy disc

Stage 1

Normal Disc

A healthy disc with intact endplates providing cushion between vertebrae.

Disc degeneration

Stage 2

Degeneration

Wear and tear causes the disc to deteriorate and stress the vertebral endplates.

Endplate damage

Stage 3

Endplate Damage

Damaged endplates develop cracks and fissures that trigger an inflammatory response.

Inflammation and pain signaling

Stage 4

Inflammation & Pain

Inflammation activates the basivertebral nerve, sending pain signals to the brain.

Understanding Vertebrogenic Pain

Watch to learn more about how vertebrogenic pain develops and why the Intracept® Procedure can help.

How Do Patients Describe Vertebrogenic Pain?

The disc and endplate are both part of the anterior spinal column and produce similar low back pain symptoms. However, endplate pain is associated with distinctive changes on routine MRI called Modic changes.

Patients who find relief from the Intracept Procedure often describe pain in the middle of their low back that is made worse by physical activity, prolonged sitting, and bending forward or with bending and lifting.¹

How is Vertebrogenic Pain Treated?

The basivertebral nerve (BVN) enters the bone at the back of the vertebral body and branches to the endplates located at the top and bottom of each vertebral body.

When endplates are damaged, these nerve endings increase in number and transmit pain signals to the brain through the BVN. The Intracept® Procedure relieves vertebrogenic pain by heating the basivertebral nerve with a radiofrequency probe to stop it from sending pain signals to the brain.

The Procedure

How Does the Intracept® Procedure Work?

The Intracept Procedure is a minimally invasive, implant-free procedure that preserves the overall structure of the spine. It is a same-day, outpatient procedure performed under anesthesia and generally lasts about an hour. The procedure is FDA-cleared and proven in multiple studies to be safe, effective, and durable.^2,3

Step 1 — Access the vertebra

1

Access the Vertebra

Using fluoroscopic guidance, an introducer cannula is placed through the pedicle into the vertebral body.

Step 2 — Navigate to the nerve

2

Navigate to the Nerve

A curved cannula is navigated through the vertebral body to the location of the basivertebral nerve.

Step 3 — Ablate the BVN

3

Ablate the BVN

A radiofrequency probe creates a thermal lesion to ablate the basivertebral nerve, stopping pain signals.

Step 4 — Complete and recover

4

Complete & Recover

Instruments are removed. No implants are left behind, and the spine's structure is preserved.

Clinical Evidence

How Long Does Pain Relief Last?

Clinical evidence demonstrates the majority of patients experience significant improvements in function and pain 3 months post-procedure that are sustained more than 5 years after a single treatment.²

5+ Years

Sustained pain relief demonstrated in clinical studies

65%

of patients reported 50% or greater improvement in pain

~1 Hour

Same-day outpatient procedure under anesthesia

Am I a Candidate?

How Do I Know If I'm a Candidate for Intracept®?

The Intracept® Procedure is indicated for patients who meet the following criteria. As with any procedure, risks should be discussed between the patient and their medical provider.

Chronic low back pain for at least six months
Have tried conservative care for at least six months without adequate relief
MRI shows features consistent with Modic changes — indicating damage at the vertebral endplates has led to inflammation

Common Questions

Intracept® FAQ's

The Intracept Procedure has been proven to reduce pain and improve activity in most people with vertebrogenic back pain. Studies show the effectiveness and safety of the Intracept Procedure. 65% of patients reported 50% improvement in their pain following the treatment. Additionally, a majority of patients reported an improvement in their ability to return to daily activities.

As with any medical procedure, there are risks, but the Intracept Procedure has an impressive safety profile. We always recommend patients speak to their doctor about both the benefits of a procedure and the risks for their specific case.

The procedure is done in an outpatient setting. Once under anesthesia, a small incision is made in the low back using specialized instrumentation to reach the vertebra where pain is occurring. The procedure typically takes about an hour, and patients go home the same day. There are no implants or hardware left behind, and the Intracept Procedure preserves the overall structure of the spine.

Most patients experience some soreness for a few days following the procedure. Recovery times are unique to each person based on lifestyle and medical history. Most people can return to daily activities within 1–2 weeks of the Intracept Procedure.

Start Your Journey to Relief

Chronic low back pain doesn't have to define your life. Talk to your provider about the Intracept® Procedure.

Schedule Your Consultation

References

1. Koreckij T, Kreiner S, Khalil JG, Smuck M, Markman J, Garfin S. Prospective, randomized, multicenter study of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: 24-month treatment arm results. NASSJ. Published online October 26, 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2021.100089.

2. Fischgrund J, Rhyne A, Macadaeg K, et al. Long-term outcomes following intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: 5-year treatment arm results from a prospective randomized double-blind sham-controlled multi-center study. Eur Spine J. 2020;29(8):1925-34.

3. Relievant data on file as of January 2023.

MKT 0434 Rev. A