Intracept
The Intracept procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment for chronic low back pain that uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt pain signals from the basivertebral nerve:
How it works
A small incision is made in the low back, and a radiofrequency probe is inserted to heat the basivertebral nerve, which runs through the vertebrae. This disrupts the nerve's ability to send pain signals to the brain.
Who it's for
The Intracept procedure is recommended for people with chronic low back pain that has lasted at least six months and hasn't improved with other treatments like medications, injections, or physical therapy.
What to expect
The procedure takes about 90–120 minutes, and patients are given anesthesia and a local anesthetic. After the procedure, patients can go home later that day but will need someone to drive them. The incision site may be uncomfortable, and symptoms may worsen for a few days after treatment.
The Intracept procedure is the only FDA-approved procedure for treating chronic low back pain.