Basivertebral nerve ablation | Interventional Spine
Basivertebral nerve ablation
Understanding vertebrogenic low-back pain (LBP)2:
Vertebrogenic LBP is a chronic pain originating from the vertebrae, specifically due to damage or degeneration of the vertebral endplates. These endplates are thin layers of cartilage and bone that connect vertebral bodies to intervertebral discs and are vulnerable to injury, degeneration and inflammation.
The sinuvertebral nerve, which arises from the spinal nerves, enters the vertebral body through the basivertebral foramen. It then branches out to the vertebral endplates, transmitting pain signals from damaged tissue. This nerve is the target for the BVNA procedure aimed at relieving pain.
This condition is distinct from other types of low back pain, such as those caused by herniated discs or muscle strain, as it specifically involves the vertebrae and nerve signals from damaged endplates.
Contact your doctor if you’re exhibiting any of these lower back symptoms2:
- Back pain that doesn’t go away in a couple of weeks
- Low back pain that doesn’t improve with medication
- Worsening back pain
How it works
1. Under x-ray guidance, your doctor inserts an access cannula to advance just inside the posterior wall of the vertebral body.
2. Your doctor inserts the introducer down the access cannula and advances the curve into the vertebral body.
3. Your doctor inserts the probe, connects the microinfuser and adjusts the spacer/probe placement to the correct position.
4. Ablation occurs to surrounding tissue using radiofrequency energy.
What you can expect
Before
Your doctor will confirm your diagnosis. If you are a good candidate for BVNA, your doctor will ask you for the following information:
- Current medications, including herbal supplements and their dosages
- Known drug, iodine or latex allergies
- Current health conditions and past medical/ surgical history
During
BVNA is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that relieves chronic vertebrogenic LBP by deactivating the nerve responsible for transmitting pain signals from the vertebral endplates. Using imaging guidance, a specialized probe is inserted through a small incision in the back and directed to the basivertebral nerve. Radiofrequency energy is then applied to the nerve, disrupting its ability to send pain signals to the brain.
This procedure aims to provide long-term5†† relief for patients with vertebrogenic pain, especially when other treatments like physical therapy or medications have failed.
After
Your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored before you go home. You may feel sore or have pain in the treated area, and post-procedure monitoring and care may vary depending on the center’s protocols and your needs. Most patients normally return home on the same day.2
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Potential risks of the procedure2
As with most surgical procedures, serious adverse events can occur, including bleeding, infection, nerve damage and increased back pain. This procedure is not for everyone. Physicians should discuss potential risks with patients.
Please consult with your doctor for the full list of possible side effects related to the BVNA procedure.
*Vertebrogenic lower back pain of at least 6 months.
†Patients can expect to be discharged the same day, but this may vary depending on individual conditions.
††The evidence shows patients treated with BVNA had sustained benefits in pain and function for up to 5 years.
The information presented is for educational purposes only. Stryker is not dispensing medical advice. The information presented is intended to demonstrate a Stryker product. A surgeon must always refer to the package insert, product label and/or instructions for use, including the instructions for cleaning and sterilization (if applicable), before using any Stryker product. Only your doctor can make the medical judgment on which products and treatments are right for your own individual condition. Your physician will explain all the possible complications of the procedure, as well as side effects. Individual results vary and not all patients will receive the same post-procedure activity level.
Stryker or its affiliated entities own, use, or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders. The absence of a product, feature, or service name, or logo from this list does not constitute a waiver of Stryker’s trademark or other intellectual property rights concerning that name or logo.
- Nwosu M, Agyeman WY, Bisht A, Gopinath A, Cheema AH, Chaludiya K, Khalid M, Yu AK. The Effectiveness of Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation in the Treatment of Nonradiating Vertebrogenic Pain: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 4;15(4):e37114. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37114. PMID: 37034146; PMCID: PMC10075185.
- Tieppo Francio V, Sayed D. Basivertebral Nerve Ablation. [Updated 2023 May 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat Pearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572127/.
- Koreckij T, Kreiner S, Khalil JG, Smuck M, Markman J, Garfin S; INTRACEPT Trial Investigators. Prospective, randomized, multicenter study of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: 24-Month treatment arm results. N Am Spine Soc J. 2021 Oct 26;8:100089. doi: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2021.100089. PMID: 35141653; PMCID: PMC8820067.
- Fischgrund JS, Rhyne A, Macadaeg K, Moore G, Kamrava E, Yeung C, Truumees E, Schaufele M, Yuan P, DePalma M, Anderson DG, Buxton D, Reynolds J, Sikorsky M. 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 Aug;29(8):1925-1934. doi: 10.1007/s00586-020-06448-x. Epub 2020 May 25. PMID: 32451777.
- Smuck M, Truumees E, Macadaeg K, Pena E, Arbuckle J 2nd, Gentile J 2nd, Funk R, Singh D, Vinayek S. Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation: Pooled long-term outcomes from two prospective studies. Interventional Pain Medicine. 2023;2(2):100088. doi: 10.1016/j.inpm.2023.100088. *Date accessed 3/20/25.
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