The Intracept Procedure
In Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia
The Intracept procedure is a minimally invasive treatment that helps treat chronic low back pain, specifically vertebrogenic pain, which is caused by damage between the discs and the vertebral body. If you've tried several nonsurgical treatments without much success at reducing your pain, the Intracept procedure may be the right treatment for you.
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Discover The Intracept Procedure
The Intracept procedure, which is a basivertebral nerve ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure that helps reduce pain symptoms for chronic low back pain sufferers. This treatment uses radiofrequency energy to interrupt nerves from carrying pain signals from damaged discs in the spine to the brain. The Intracept procedure specifically treats vertebrogenic pain, which is pain caused by damage to the vertebral endplates from everyday wear and tear.
If you're intrigued and wish to delve deeper into the Intracept procedure, we have all the information you need right here on our website. By navigating through the buttons below, you can learn about who makes an ideal candidate for the procedure, gain insights into recovery tips, and find answers to frequently asked questions. We've compiled this information to help you make an informed decision about your treatment options.
When you're ready to take the next step towards a life with less pain, our Intracept procedure specialists are here to guide you. To schedule a new patient consultation, simply reach out to us via our contact form or give us a call. We understand that dealing with chronic pain is not easy, and we're committed to supporting you on every step of your journey to better health.
What Patients Are Saying
Great office, good people. Been there quite a few years. Never a problem. Leave them a message, they always respond. I've had six back surgeries 2knees and right shoulder. Gregg keeps my chronic debilitating pain managed well so I can still live my life best I can. Im so grateful.
Jenny Martins / google review
Dr. Rao. I can't find the words to tell you how much he has meant to me. I followed him from an old practice to his very new high tech office. They offer so many different areas of assistance to those with issues from nutrition to spinal surgery... and much more. His office is professional.
Mom To2 / vitals
Dr. Rao is such an amazing doctor! During my first visit, he never tried to rush through my appt.; he genuinely listened to all my concerns and then took his time to explain to me in detail all his recommendations and how they would help me.
Nikki / healthgrades
The Intracept Procedure Treatment Guide
The Intracept Procedure Digital Guide
Our board-certified back pain specialist doctors specialize in minimally invasive treatments like the The Intracept Procedure. Download our guide to learn more about our comprehensive services focussed on pain management for chronic pain.
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What Is an Intracept Back Procedure?
The Intracept procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure used to treat vertebrogenic pain. Vertebrogenic pain is caused by damage to the vertebral endplates, which are the top and bottom edges of the vertebrae in the front portion of the spinal column. Over time, daily wear and tear can cause the vertebral endplates to degenerate, resulting in pain and discomfort.
While chronic back pain is prevalent and can be caused by various factors, such as injury or arthritis, vertebrogenic pain is specifically caused by pain from the nerves inside the vertebrae. This distinction separates the intracept procedure for the relief of chronic back pain.
Unlike other treatment methods, the Intracept procedure uses radiofrequency energy to interrupt nerves from carrying pain signals from damaged discs in the lower back to the brain. This back nerve pain treatment technique for back pain involves passing radiofrequency energy through a probe to heat and kill the nerve, thus disrupting and preventing the nerve from sending pain signals from the damaged discs in the spine to the brain.
Rather than undergoing major open surgery to reduce your vertebrogenic pain, this nerve ablation procedure for back pain provides the same practical, long-term results with less recovery time.
Common Signs, Symptoms, and Causes of Vertebrogenic Pain
The Intracept procedure treats chronic low back pain, specifically vertebrogenic pain. In other words, the Intracept procedure does not treat all forms of back pain, only vertebrogenic pain. Vertebrogenic pain often doesn't respond to traditional nonsurgical forms of treatment, such as physical therapy, injections, or oral medications.
While this can be frustrating for chronic vertebrogenic pain sufferers, the Intracept Procedure offers effective, long-lasting results.
Unfortunately, because vertebrogenic pain is caused by daily wear and tear on your vertebral endplates, little can be done to prevent one's risk of experiencing this condition. This degeneration is why early diagnosis and seeking appropriate back pain treatment are essential.
Various signs and symptoms can point to vertebrogenic pain, including:
- Chronic low back pain, often in the middle of the lower back
- Pain that worsens with physical activity, sitting, bending, or lifting
- Signs of the change via MRI scan
Because vertebrogenic pain can be challenging to diagnose, our pain management doctors might order an MRI scan to diagnose it properly. In an MRI, your doctor will visibly be able to see the degeneration of the vertebral endplates in the spine that is causing you pain and discomfort.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for this Treatment?
If you've been suffering from vertebrogenic pain, you may be a good candidate for the Intracept procedure. With that said, only some people who have vertebrogenic pain are automatically the perfect candidate for this treatment.
To qualify for the Intracept procedure, potential patients must have:
Pain symptom Criteria
- Chronic Back Pain for a Minimum of Six Months
- Ineffective Results from Nonsurgical Treatment
- Visible Changes in the Vertebral Endplates on MRIs
Our comprehensive consultation process
Our Pain and Spine Specialists team starts by delving into your past medical experiences, including any treatments or surgeries you've undergone and the specific nature of your pain. This understanding allows us to identify potential causes of your discomfort and explore the most effective treatment options for you.
Following this, our doctors conduct a thorough physical examination. This step gives us real-time insights into your mobility, strength, and response to pain. It's an integral part of our diagnostic process that helps us understand the physical aspects of your pain.
Based on the insights from your medical history and physical exam, we might recommend diagnostic imaging. Tools like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans provide us with a detailed look inside your body, helping us visualize the source of your pain and guide us toward an accurate diagnosis.
When necessary, we may conduct nerve tests. These tests measure your nerve function objectively, helping us understand if your pain is related to nerve damage or irritation.
Finally, if it applies to your condition, we might suggest diagnostic nerve blocks, including facet joint injections, epidural steroid injections, SI injections, and medial branch blocks. These procedures can help us ascertain whether specific nerves in your spine are the source of your pain, providing further clarity on the best treatment approach.
Next Steps
If the Intracept procedure emerges as the right course for you, rest assured our team will be with you every step of the way. Our ultimate goal is to help you understand your pain and, more importantly, find the relief you deserve. We're here to provide an empathetic, patient-centered approach to pain management.
What to Expect During Treatment
If you've been suffering from vertebrogenic pain, you may be a good candidate for the Intracept procedure. Rather than modifying your life around your pain symptoms, the Intracept procedure spine treatment provides safe, effective, and long-lasting results that can significantly improve your quality of life.
Preparing for the Intracept Procedure
Before beginning this Intracept spine procedure, our team will guide you through thorough preparation instructions. Ensuring you have a clear understanding of these steps is crucial for your safety and the success of the procedure.
We'll discuss potential medications that you may need to pause or adjust. We'll also provide advice on dietary requirements, as it is typically necessary to fast for a few hours before the procedure. Remember, our team is here to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
The Intracept Procedure: Step by Step
The Intracept procedure is a minimally invasive method designed to target and treat the basivertebral nerve, often the source of burning nerves in back.
Once you are comfortably positioned, we'll administer local anesthesia to numb the treatment area, ensuring your comfort throughout the procedure. Guided by real-time X-ray imaging, our specialist will introduce a small needle into the vertebral body.
Following this, we'll insert the Intracept probe through the needle. This probe will apply controlled radiofrequency energy to the basivertebral nerve, effectively blocking the nerve's ability to send pain signals to your brain.
After the Intracept Procedure
Immediately after the procedure, you'll be moved to a recovery area for monitoring. Initial pain relief may be noticeable, but it's essential to remember that everyone's experience with pain relief timing can vary.
You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure, as the effects of anesthesia may not wear off immediately. Our team will give you a set of post-procedure instructions to follow at home, including rest, medication, and potentially physical therapy exercises.
Regular follow-ups will be scheduled with our doctors to track your progress and ensure optimal recovery.
Intracept Procedure Recovery Time
The Intracept procedure spine treatment requires minimal recovery time, and most patients can resume their everyday activities about one to two weeks post-procedure. Likewise, patients notice improvements in their vertebrogenic pain a couple of weeks after ablation for spine pain, with complete results noticeable about three months post-treatment.
While complications are rare, there are some potential Intracept procedure side effects patients should be aware of, including:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve Damage
- Increased Back Pain
How Soon Will I Notice the Results?
Patients experience improvements to their chronic lower back pain about two to six weeks after their Intracept procedure, with significant enhancements noticed three months post-procedure. Many patients also experience long-term pain relief, with studies finding that the procedure provides at least five years of sustained pain relief.
The Intracept procedure is also a one-time procedure that does not need to be repeated, giving patients long-lasting, effective results they can count on.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Explore some of the most common questions we receive about The Intracept Procedure treatment at Pain and Spine Specialists.
Age is not a limiting factor for candidacy; we evaluate each patient's unique situation and adjust the treatment plan to their specific needs.
The procedure is typically performed under mild sedation.
You may begin to experience pain relief as soon as two weeks after the procedure.
Insurance coverage varies by provider; our team will verify your coverage before scheduling the procedure.
There are alternative treatments available, which we can discuss during your consultation.
Patients with an active systemic infection or a bleeding disorder should not undergo the procedure.
While we cannot guarantee pain relief, The Intracept Procedure has been highly effective in treating chronic lower back pain. During your consultation, we can discuss the likely results for your specific situation.
While you recover from the procedure, walking is encouraged, but avoid any strenuous activities for at least six weeks. During your consultation, we can provide you with more detailed information about post-procedure care. Contact us today to discuss any other questions or concerns you may have regarding The Intracept Procedure.
Intracept Procedure Pros and Cons
If you've been suffering from chronic vertebrogenic pain, the Intracept Procedure can be an effective treatment with many advantages. However, it's essential to understand all the advantages and disadvantages fully.
Advantages of the Intracept Procedure
The Intracept Procedure provides a wide range of benefits to patients, including:
- Minimally Invasive: This procedure requires only a small incision, meaning minimal scarring and risk are involved.
- Long-Term Solution: Patients experience long-term pain relief, with many experiencing at least five years of sustained pain relief.
- Effective Results in Pain Reduction: Many patients experience significant improvements in reducing their pain symptoms.
- Short Recovery Time: This is an outpatient procedure where most patients experience a full recovery within one to two weeks post-procedure.
- One-Time Treatment: This is a one-time treatment that provides long-term results; therefore, there is no need for this procedure to be repeated.
Disadvantages of the Intracept Procedure
While the Intracept Procedure provides effective, long-lasting results, this treatment has some potential disadvantages.
These disadvantages include:
- Not a Treatment for All Back Pain Sufferers: This treatment is ineffective at treating all back pain issues. This treatment is designed to treat vertebrogenic pain specifically.
- Potential Intracept Procedure Side Effects: Although rare, there is a risk of developing complications post-procedure.
- Not Immediate Results: Patients do not experience full results immediately. It may take a few weeks to months for complete, noticeable improvements in reducing your pain.
While there are some potential disadvantages linked to the Intracept procedure, overwhelmingly, this procedure can be a life-changing treatment. If you've been suffering from chronic vertebrogenic pain and have tried several nonsurgical therapies without much success, the Intracept Procedure can be an excellent treatment option.
The Intracept Procedure At Pain and Spine Specialists
Chronic low back pain can significantly impact your ability to lead a healthy, happy life. Rather than ignoring your pain, hoping it will go away on its own, or modifying your life around your pain, various nonsurgical and surgical treatment options are available to help better manage your pain symptoms.
About Us
At Pain and Spine Specialists, our board-certified doctors specialize in interventional pain management treatments, including The Intracept Procedure.
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Treatment Candidates
Patients with the following conditions may be candidates for an The Intracept Procedure:
Related Pain Regions
The Intracept Procedure is often used to treat pain in the following regions:
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For those suffering from vertebrogenic pain, the Intracept procedure allows patients to reduce pain and regain control over their lives. Contact us today!
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At Pain and Spine Specialists we provide comprehensive pain care while offering the most up-to-date minimally invasive techniques. Our ethos is to treat each patient (and potential patient) as if they were a family member.
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Meet Our Team
The Intracept Procedure Specialists in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia
At Pain and Spine Specialists we have a premier team of Intracept specialists in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Virginia who can help relieve your chronic pain. Our mission is to provide you with comprehensive pain management treatment options to better manage your pain to improve your quality of life.
