What is Intracept?

Intracept is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that is clinically proven to relieve chronic lower back pain. UF Health Pain Medicine is one of the first providers in North Central Florida to offer Intracept.

What Condition Does It Treat?

Intracept treats a condition called vertebrogenic pain. This condition causes chronic lower back pain that increases with movements like standing, lifting and bending forward.

How Does It Work?

This treatment targets a specific nerve located in the bones of your spine. During the procedure, your doctor will insert a specialized probe into your spine and use heat to disable the nerve, making it unable to send pain signals. The Intracept Procedure takes about an hour and is implant free.

This an outpatient procedure, which means you will likely go home the same day.

Is It Effective?

Clinical studies have shown both short- and long-term benefits for patients who receive this procedure.1,2 Studies have shown strong improvements for patients lasting five years or more, and a significant decrease in the number of patients who need opioids or injections after the procedure.3 In one study, over a third of patients reported that they were totally pain-free after five years.3

Is It Right for Me?

Intracept may be right for you if you’ve been experiencing chronic back pain for at least six months and haven’t responded to conservative care such as physical therapy, steroid injections or other pain relief treatments. Your doctor will consider your medical history and conduct a thorough examination to determine if this procedure is suitable for you.

The Intracept Procedure is currently only available for Medicare Part B patients.

How Do I Get Started?

If you live in the North Florida area and are interested in learning more about this innovative and effective procedure, you can call 352.265.7777 for more information.

References

1. Fischgrund JS, Rhyne A, Franke J, et al. Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: a prospective randomized double-blind sham-controlled multi-center study. Eur Spine J. 2018;27(5):1146-1156. doi:10.1007/s00586-018-5496-1
2. Khalil JG, Smuck M, Koreckij T, et al. A prospective, randomized, multicenter study of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Spine J. 2019;19(10):1620-1632. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2019.05.598
3. 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(8):1925-1934. doi:10.1007/s00586-020-06448-x