Chronic back pain can be persistent and disruptive—manifesting as sciatica, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease, and often resisting conservative medical care.
If you’re seeking long-term relief, the Intracept™ procedure may be right for you. At Delmarva Pain and Spine Center, Dr. Shachi Patel offers this option to patients with chronic, intractable back pain.
She’s an experienced pain management specialist who provides conservative measures and effective surgical treatments for back and other forms of chronic pain.
The Intracept procedure is a cutting-edge option for people with chronic low back pain from vertebral endplates that become damaged. It’s minimally invasive and uses heat to ablate the basivertebral nerve. This stops pain signals from reaching the nerve and the lower back.
During the procedure, you’ll have sedation so you don’t feel discomfort. We make a tiny incision near the spine and use a specialized X-ray to ensure we’re in the correct spot.
After inserting a tiny catheter into the incision, we insert the radiofrequency probe into the catheter and onto the basivertebral nerve. We ablate the nerve until it can no longer send pain signals to the back and legs.
The entire procedure takes about 60 to 90 minutes. It’s outpatient, and you can go home the same day to rest.
Living with chronic back pain is extremely difficult, and most patients seek lasting relief. So, is Intracept a safe and effective option? The answer is simple: Yes.
The procedure is extremely safe, and Dr. Patel takes every precaution to minimize side effects and prevent complications. But, as with any invasive procedure, there are risks to consider.
There are very few complications because the procedure is minimally invasive. Other than the heat from the device, it’s no worse than having an epidural steroid injection into the spine.
It’s absolutely a safe option for people living with chronic back pain who don’t want intense surgery but do desire lasting relief.
The Intracept procedure is like many other minimally invasive back procedures in that it comes with some risks and side effects. However, the potential benefits usually outweigh the side effects if Dr. Patel recommends the procedure.
Common but not serious side effects of the procedure include pain, swelling, or bruising at the incision site. However, you can manage these side effects with over-the-counter pain medications and ice.
Serious side effects are rare but may include nerve injury, infection at the incision site, or worsening back pain due to nerve damage during the procedure. It is important to monitor for signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, fever, or worsening pain, and contact your provider if these occur.
According to the National Library of Medicine, one study reported that 79.1% of patients experienced improved function after the Intracept procedure. Those numbers are astounding, considering the vastness of back issues.
Only you and Dr. Patel can determine if the procedure is right for your needs. If you’ve had back pain that lasts for more than three months and persists despite conservative care and lifestyle changes, the risks are worth the reward.
To learn more or schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel, call our Newark, Delaware office or visit our website today.
