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The Intracept™ Procedure

What is the Intracept Procedure?

The Intracept Procedure is a one-time, minimally invasive, outpatient procedure for people with vertebrogenic low back pain. The procedure uses heat to target a specific nerve within the vertebrae called the basivertebral nerve (BVN).

The procedure is drug free and implant free—making it less invasive than other treatment options.

We've got your back

Minimally invasive and implant-free

One-time procedure, long-term pain relief1

Same day procedure, brief recovery

Relief that can start quickly and continue to improve over time

Proven safe—FDA cleared2

Real-world results in over 50,000 patients

How the Intracept Procedure works

The Intracept Procedure uses heat to stop the BVN from sending pain signals. The BVN has not shown an ability to grow back after treatment, resulting in long-lasting relief. The procedure typically takes between 60-90 minutes, but may depend on how many levels of the spine are being treated.

Watch this Intracept Procedure video.

Targeting the nerve

For the Intracept Procedure, your doctor will typically use anesthesia to make you comfortable. Once you are comfortable, the doctor will make a small incision in your back and use small purpose-built surgical tools to access your spine. Guided imaging will be used to confirm the tools have reached the target of your pain—the basivertebral nerve.

Heating the nerve

Once imaging has confirmed 
the doctor has reached
 the basivertebral nerve, radiofrequency energy will 
be used to heat (ablate) the nerve to stop its ability to send pain signals to your brain. 
The nerve ablation process can take between 7 and 15 minutes for each level of your spine that is treated.

Closing

Once the nerve has been deactivated with heat, the doctor will remove the surgical tools and place a bandage over the small incision. There will be no implants or hardware left behind in your back and you will be able to go home once the anesthesia has worn off.

Proven results for vertebrogenic pain relief

Discover the lasting relief from persistent pain you've been looking for. 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.

Intracept patient, Megan.
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Intracept saved my life, it sounds dramatic, but it's absolutely the most significant thing that could've happened to me.

– Megan
Intracept patient

See more patient stories
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What to expect after the Intracept Procedure

After the Intracept Procedure, your doctor might give you some tips to help you heal. Most people can go back to normal activities after a short rest and within several days.

Some people start to feel pain relief within two weeks and many continue to improve gradually over three months. The Intracept Procedure typically only needs to be done once, making it unique from other radio frequency ablation procedures that require repeat treatments.

Interested in taking the next step to relief?

Living with long-lasting pain can be really hard. But there are things you can do to get the right help and feel better. Interested in taking the next step to relief?

Learn how to Get Started
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Take the next step

Find a doctor

See if you may benefit from the procedure, and connect with an Intracept-trained physician near you.

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References

1. Fischgrund JS, 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;29:1925-1934.

2. Data on file.

3. Khalil JG, Truumees E, Macadaeg K, et al. Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation: A 5-year pooled analysis from three prospective clinical trials. Interv Pain Med. 2024;3(4):100529. Published 2024 Dec 13. doi:10.1016/j.inpm.2024.100529

 

Important Safety Information

Indications for use: The Intracept™ Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System is indicated for patients who have had chronic low back pain for at least six months, who have tried conservative care for at least six months, and whose MRI shows features consistent with Modic changes – indicating damage at the vertebral endplates has led to inflammation. Not every patient who meets these criteria is a candidate for the Intracept Procedure, however – in fact, there are specific characteristics indicating a patient should not be considered for the procedure.

Contraindications: Patients who are pregnant. Patients with weakened cardiac or pulmonary function, having an active implanted electronic medical device in the body (such as a pacemaker or defibrillator), being diagnosed with a systemic or local infection, or having an anatomy that could be damaged unintentionally while ablating the basivertebral nerve (based on your physicians’ clinical review). Patients who are skeletally immature – which generally means individuals under the age of 18 are not candidates.

Warnings: There are also certain risks and precautions regarding the procedure which you should be aware of before proceeding. With all medical procedures, there are risks and precautions associated with the procedure and the use of the device, talk with your doctor about what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients for the Intracept Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects visit www.relievant.com/intracept/.

Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.