Basivertebral Nerve Ablation (BVN)

Glaser Pain Relief Center

Interventional Pain Management Specialists located in San Fernando Valley, Encino, CA

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic lower back pain, basivertebral nerve ablation (BVN) may provide ongoing relief and improve your mobility and quality of life. At Glaser Pain Relief Center in Encino, California, Jeffrey Glaser, MD, and John Zheng, DO, specialize in BVN. If you live in the San Fernando Valley or Greater Los Angeles area and want to see if this treatment is right for you, make an appointment today. Call the office or click the online booking feature.

818-501-7246

Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Q & A

What is basivertebral nerve ablation (BVN)?

Basivertebral nerve ablation (BVN), also called the Intracept® Procedure, is a minimally invasive treatment for a specific type of back pain called vertebrogenic pain. Vertebrogenic pain occurs when the bony endplates of your vertebrae (back bones) are damaged due to trauma or age-related wear-and-tear.

BVN uses radiofrequency energy to heat the basivertebral nerve, preventing pain signals from reaching your brain and offering lasting pain relief.

Who is a candidate for basivertebral nerve ablation?

You’re probably a good candidate for basivertebral nerve ablation (BVN) if you’ve been diagnosed with vertebrogenic pain and it doesn’t respond to more conservative treatments, such as activity changes, pain medication, or physical therapy.

After reviewing your health history, discussing your symptoms, and completing a physical exam and diagnostic imaging, your Glaser Pain Relief provider can determine if you qualify.

How do I prepare for basivertebral nerve ablation?

BVN doesn’t require advanced preparation. However, since the procedure involves general anesthesia, it’s important that your provider knows about the medications you take and whether you have any allergies. You may need to stop taking certain medications before surgery.

What does basivertebral nerve ablation involve?

BVN is an outpatient procedure that typically takes 60-90 minutes.

Before treatment begins, you change into a gown and lie face down on an exam table. Your provider then administers a general anesthetic that causes you to fall asleep.

Once you’re comfortable, your provider makes a small incision in your back and uses X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) to guide a hollow tube (cannula) through the incision into your vertebrae. Then, they use special surgical tools to create a small opening in your vertebrae to access the basivertebral nerve.

After opening this channel, your provider guides a radiofrequency probe to the trunk of the nerve. Then, they heat your nerve, damaging it and preventing it from sending pain signals to your brain.

Once that process is complete, your provider removes the cannula and radiofrequency probe, closes the incision, and moves you to a recovery room for observation. It takes several hours for the anesthetic to wear off, so you’ll need someone to drive you home.

What is recovery like after basivertebral nerve ablation?

After BVN, it’s normal to experience mild bruising, swelling, and redness at the incision site. Most people can return to work and other regular activities within two to three days, but you must avoid heavy lifting and other strenuous activities until your provider clears you.

Studies show that many people experience significant pain relief. In fact, about 65% of people report a 50% reduction in back pain, while 36.2% experience a 75% or greater reduction.

To see if you can benefit from basivertebral nerve ablation (BVN), schedule a consultation appointment at Glaser Pain Relief. Call the office or click the online booking feature today.