Welcome to Living Proof
The Intracept Procedure is supported by strong scientific evidence, including two Level I randomized clinical trials. But the true proof is the living it has restored. You’ll find both kinds of proof here.
Looking for Proof?
Hear from the Ones Living It.
Real Intracept Procedure patients tell their stories of lasting relief from vertebrogenic pain.
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What Physicians Are Saying About Intracept
Brian Durkin, DO
Pain Institute of Long Island,
Rockville Center, NY
“If I see people with Modic changes I say, 'that's probably where your back pain is coming from. It's probably your vertebrogenic endplate changes that are causing your back pain.' So that's been a big change in our algorithm. We'll see patients for the first time and see if we can get them in the portal and treated.”
Kiran V. Patel, MD
Director, Neurosurgical Pain, Lenox Hill Hospital, NY
“For the right patient with lower back pain, the Intracept procedure is life changing. Of all of the procedures that I perform, it has delivered the most dramatic results for my patients.”
Casey Muir, MD
Southwest Spine and Pain Center,
St George, UT
“This is an exciting new treatment option for a type chronic low back pain that we haven't had a solution. Intracept treats focal low back pain that occurs from degeneration of the intervertebral discs causing vertebrogenic back pain. This pain stays in the low back and generally gets worse with bending forward. If you have these back pain features Intracept may be the solution to your back pain.”
David Tran, MD
Axion Spine & Neurosurgery,
Alpharetta, GA
“Intracept is an innovative, safe, and highly effective treatment for chronic low back pain. Patients can see dramatic, lasting improvements from this minimally invasive procedure, with little post-procedure pain and quick recovery time.”
The Data Is Living Proof, Too
The Intracept Procedure is supported by unparalleled clinical evidence.
- Four clinical studies that include two Level I randomized controlled trials.
- Study results published in 10 peer-reviewed articles across 7 peer-reviewed journals, with additional systematic reviews and society guidelines on BVN ablation.
Proven Results
- Long-term improvements in pain and function, sustained more than 5 years1
- Sustained decrease in patients using opioids and injections long-term1
- Nearly 80% of patients indicated they would have the procedure again for the same condition1
- Less than 0.2% rate of serious device or procedure-related complications reported.2
Functional improvement.
Pain reduction.
Fewer injections.
Fewer opioids.
At 5 years post-procedure, 73% fewer patients were actively using opioids.1
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and considerations associated with the Intracept Procedure. See important safety information below.
Patients: See the Indications & Risks Involved
The Intracept® Procedure 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. These contraindications include being pregnant, having weakened cardiac or pulmonary function, having an 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). The Intracept Procedure is also contraindicated in patients who are skeletally immature – which generally means individuals under the age of 18 are not candidates. There are also certain risks and precautions regarding the procedure which you should be aware of before proceeding.
Talk with your doctor about what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients for the Intracept Procedure – as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure.
Physicians: See Indications, Contraindications, and Risks
The Intracept Procedure Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System is intended to be used in conjunction with radiofrequency (RF) generators for the ablation of basivertebral nerves of the L3 through S1 vertebrae for the relief of chronic low back pain of at least six months duration that has not responded to at least six months of conservative care, and is also accompanied by features consistent with Type 1 or Type 2 Modic changes on an MRI such as inflammation, edema, vertebral endplate changes, disruption and fissuring of the endplate, vascularized fibrous tissues within the adjacent marrow, hypointensive signals (Type 1 Modic change), and changes to the vertebral body marrow including replacement of normal bone marrow by fat, and hyperintensive signals (Type 2 Modic change).
Use of the Intracept Procedure Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System is contraindicated in:
- Patients with severe cardiac or pulmonary compromise
- Patients where the targeted ablation zone is < 10 mm away from a sensitive structure not intended to be ablated, including the vertebral foramen (spinal canal)
- Patients with active systemic infection or local infection in the area to be treated
- Patients who are pregnant
- Skeletally immature patients (generally < 18 years of age)
- Patients with active implantable pulse generators (e.g., pacemakers, defibrillators)
- Situations where unintended tissue damage may result, based on the clinical assessment by the physician
- Application with electrosurgical instruments NOT tested and specified for use with the Relievant RFG
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and considerations associated with the Intracept Procedure. To review the contraindications, warnings, and precautions click here.
- 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. doi.org/10.1007/s00586-020-06448-x
- Relievant data on file as of Q2 2023.