Who's a Candidate for the Intracept Procedure?

If your lower back aches so often that you can barely recall what life was like without pain, you’re not alone. Close to one in three adults in the United States deals with chronic low back pain.

The Intracept™ procedure safely brings lasting relief to many individuals bothered by vertebrogenic pain. But as with most conditions, no single back pain treatment suits everyone.

Our expert team at Houston Pain Specialists, led by board-certified pain management specialist Hui Kang, MD, offers a range of effective back pain treatments, including the Intracept procedure, for strong candidates.

Read on to learn more about this procedure, including reasons to consider it.

Understanding vertebrogenic pain

Vertebrogenic pain is a type of low back pain. It stems from damage to the thin layers of bone and cartilage on the surfaces of your vertebrae — the small bones that make up your spine. That damage usually results from gradual wear-and-tear.

Your back pain may be vertebrogenic if it presents as a deep ache or burning sensation in the middle of your lower back. Vertebrogenic pain can ebb and flow, worsening after you bend forward, exercise, or sit for lengthy periods of time.

Intracept procedure basics

The Intracept procedure uses fluoroscopy (imaging technology) and tiny instruments, inserted through a small incision in your back, to guide a hollow tube to your affected vertebrae. 

From there, we create a channel and insert a tiny radiofrequency probe into the nerve responsible for your pain. Then radiofrequency heat damages the nerve to do away with your symptoms. In other words, it eliminates the root cause of your pain.

This outpatient, minimally invasive procedure takes about 60-90 minutes. Once your sedation wears off, you can return home to recover. 

But because you’ll likely have general anesthesia for the procedure,  you’ll need to arrange a ride home. Most patients can get back to their usual activities within a week or two.

Good candidates for the Intracept procedure

If your chronic low back pain hasn’t responded well to conservative treatments, such as rest, physical therapy, cold or hot packs, and over-the-counter pain medication, you may be a good candidate for the Intractept procedure.

You may not be a candidate if you’re pregnant, have an active infection, use a pacemaker, or have a lung or heart condition. Additionally, Intracept is not suitable for teens or young adults who haven't yet finished growing.

To find out if the Intracept procedure is ideal for you, contact our Houston, Texas, office today to schedule an appointment. Our team can customize a back pain relief treatment plan based on your overall health, needs, preferences, and symptoms.