Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
Renew Pain Solutions offers Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for the treatment of vertebrogenic pain.
Basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA) is a minimally invasive treatment designed specifically for vertebrogenic pain — chronic low back pain that originates from the vertebral endplates. The procedure targets the basivertebral nerve, which carries pain signals from damaged vertebral structures to the brain. By interrupting these signals at their source, basivertebral nerve ablation provides long-lasting relief for patients who haven’t improved with conservative treatments and who meet the clinical criteria for vertebrogenic pain.
What is Vertebrogenic Pain?
Vertebrogenic pain is a distinct type of chronic low back pain caused by damage to vertebral endplates, the tissue that covers the top and the bottom of each vertebral body and separates it from the disc. Disc degeneration, and the wear and tear that occurs with everyday living, produces stresses on the endplates that damage them, leading to inflammation and vertebrogenic pain. The basivertebral nerve (BVN), found within the vertebrae, carries pain signals from the inflamed endplates to the brain.
How Do Patients Describe Vertebrogenic Pain?
How does Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Work?
The basivertebral nerve enters the bone at the back of the vertebral body and branches out to the endplates at the top and bottom of each vertebra. When endplates are damaged, these nerve endings multiply and pick up pain signals that travel to the brain through the BVN. Basivertebral nerve ablation relieves vertebrogenic pain by using targeted radiofrequency energy to heat the nerve, stopping it from transmitting pain signals.
The procedure is minimally invasive, implant-free, and performed as a same-day outpatient treatment that generally takes about an hour. At Renew Pain Solutions, we perform basivertebral nerve ablation using the latest FDA-cleared technology, including the new ViaVerte™ system from Medtronic, which features physician-controlled steerable articulation for precise nerve targeting and real-time temperature monitoring to help protect surrounding tissue. Because the basivertebral nerve does not regenerate after treatment, a single procedure can provide durable, long-term relief.
Who is a good candidate forBasivertebral Nerve Ablation ?
Basivertebral nerve ablation 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 Modic changes — indicating that damage at the vertebral endplates has led to inflammation.
As with any procedure, basivertebral nerve ablation has risks that should be discussed between the patient and their medical provider.
2 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
3 Relievant data on file as of January 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vertebrogenic pain?
Vertebrogenic pain is chronic low back pain that originates from the vertebral endplates rather than the discs, joints, or muscles. When these endplates become damaged or inflamed, they activate the basivertebral nerve, which sends persistent pain signals to the brain. This type of pain is typically felt in the center of the low back and does not radiate down the legs.
How does basivertebral nerve ablation work?
The procedure targets the basivertebral nerve, which transmits vertebrogenic pain signals from the endplates to the brain. A specialized probe is guided into the vertebral body, where radiofrequency energy interrupts the nerve’s ability to send pain signals. Once treated, the nerve does not regenerate, allowing for long-lasting relief.
Who is a good candidate for basivertebral nerve ablation?
Ideal candidates are patients with chronic low back pain lasting six months or longer who haven’t improved with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections. MRI findings must show Modic Type 1 or Type 2 changes, which indicate inflammation or degeneration of the vertebral endplates and help confirm vertebrogenic pain.
How long does relief from basivertebral nerve ablation last?
Because the basivertebral nerve does not regenerate after treatment, relief is designed to be long-lasting. Many patients report sustained improvements in pain and daily function for years following a single procedure.
What is recovery like after basivertebral nerve ablation?
Recovery is typically quick, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days. Some experience temporary soreness at the treatment site, but it usually resolves quickly. There are no implants, no hardware left behind, and no long-term activity restrictions.
Related Services
At Renew Pain Solutions, we offer a full range of advanced, minimally invasive treatments for chronic pain. Because every patient’s pain is different, the most effective therapy depends on the source, severity, and duration of your symptoms. Explore the related services below, or schedule a consultation and our team will help you determine which treatment — or combination of treatments — is right for you.
Explore More Resources
This section connects patients with additional educational content that supports the Intracept® Procedure and the broader topic of vertebrogenic pain. These articles help reinforce understanding of how the basivertebral nerve contributes to chronic low back pain, what makes Intracept® different from traditional treatments, what patients can expect during the procedure, and how insurance coverage typically works. Together, these resources strengthen the page’s topical depth and guide patients toward the information most relevant to their condition.
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Ready to Find Out if Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Is Right for You?
If you’ve been living with chronic low back pain that hasn’t improved with conservative treatments, basivertebral nerve ablation may finally provide the relief you’ve been searching for. Our team specializes in identifying vertebrogenic pain and helping patients determine whether they’re good candidates for this minimally invasive, long-lasting treatment. Schedule a consultation to review your MRI, discuss your symptoms, and take the next step toward lasting relief.
