Basivertebral Nerve Ablation

Overview

The minimally invasive procedure treats chronic lower back pain by targeting the basivertebral nerve found in the spinal cord. Guided by advanced imaging, your doctor will use a needle-like device inserted into the back of your spine to reach the nerve. The tip of the needle is heated to essentially kill the nerve responsible for your pain.

  • Lower Back Pain

    Basivertebral nerve of a patient with chronic lower back pain.

  • Ablated Nerve

    Heat is used to ablate the basivertebral nerve.

  • No Pain

    Basivertebral nerve is no longer able to transmit pain signals.

Who Benefits?

The procedure may be right for patients with chronic lower back pain that hasn’t responded to more conservative treatments. If you have pain in your back that gets worse when you bend forward, it is possible that your pain originates in your vertebra. Advanced imaging will help your doctor determine if you are a candidate.

Recovery Expectations

The minimally invasive procedure is done in a surgery center operating room, but you should expect to go home the same day. It takes about an hour and is done under conscious sedation, meaning you will be comfortable but awake and able to breathe on your own.

It is normal to have some soreness for a few days following the procedure. Pain relief often lasts for years.