BVNA Procedure

Advanced Relief for Chronic Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain

If you have lived with chronic low back pain for more than six months and haven't found relief through conservative treatments, you may be suffering from vertebrogenic pain. At Georgia Pain Management in Woodstock, Georgia, board-certified expert James Ellner, MD, offers the Intracept® BVNA procedure—a clinically proven, minimally invasive treatment from Stryker designed to target the source of your discomfort.

What is the BVNA procedure?

Basivertebral Nerve Ablation (BVNA) is a specialized outpatient procedure that targets the basivertebral nerve located within the vertebrae of your spine. When the discs between your vertebrae degenerate, the surrounding bone (the vertebral endplates) can become inflamed and damaged, causing significant pain. BVNA uses radiofrequency energy to heat the basivertebral nerve, effectively "turning off" its ability to transmit pain signals to the brain.

Vertebrogenic low back pain is a specific type of chronic pain that originates from damage to the vertebral endplates (the top and bottom surfaces of the vertebrae). This condition is often diagnosed when an MRI shows characteristic changes called "Modic changes".

How do I know if BVNA is right for me?

This procedure is specifically indicated for patients with chronic low back pain that is vertebrogenic in nature. Dr. Ellner utilizes advanced diagnostic imaging, such as MRI, to look for specific "Modic changes" in the vertebral endplates, which indicate you may be a candidate for Intracept. This treatment is ideal for those who have exhausted conservative options like physical therapy or injections but wish to avoid more invasive spinal surgery.

What are the benefits of the Intracept® BVNA procedure?

The Intracept procedure is a breakthrough for long-term relief. Key benefits include:

• Minimally Invasive: Performed through a tiny incision, typically taking about an hour.
• No Implant: Unlike some other spinal treatments, BVNA leaves nothing behind in your body.
• Durable Results: Clinical data from Stryker shows that the relief provided by BVNA can last for years, allowing patients to return to their normal daily activities.

By using the Intracept® device to ablate this nerve, Dr. Ellner interrupts the transmission of pain, providing profound and lasting relief that has been clinically shown to significantly improve function and quality of life. Patients typically experience long-term, lasting relief, allowing them to return to normal daily activities.