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The Intracept™ Procedure

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) steals so much of life. Now there’s a way to get back to living. The Intracept Procedure can provide you with proven and long-lasting relief of CLBP.

Is the Intracept Procedure right for me?

The Intracept Procedure is designed to treat a specific type of chronic low back pain called vertebrogenic pain.

Patients who find relief from the Intracept Procedure often describe pain in the middle of their lower back is often made worse by:1

Bending forward

Leaning forward places additional pressure on the lower spine, intensifying your discomfort.

Person bending forward to pet a cat.

Lifting objects

Improperly lifting strains the back muscles and spine, which can worsen CLBP over time.

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Physical activity

Engaging in physical activities can cause pain.

Person walking a dog on a leash.

Prolonged sitting

Sitting for extended periods aggravates your CLBP symptoms.

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Take the assessment

See if the Intracept Procedure is right for you

Answer a few questions about your symptoms. It should take less than five minutes, and you’ll get information about solutions that might work for you.

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Have you been suffering from chronic low back pain for more than 6 months?

Detailed view of spinal anatomy showing the basivertebral nerve, disc, and endplate.

What is vertebrogenic pain?

1 in 6 people with chronic low back pain have a specific type of pain called vertebrogenic pain.

Vertebrogenic pain is back pain that stems from the bones in your spine, called vertebrae. Inside the vertebral bone is a nerve called the basivertebral nerve. If certain parts of your vertebrae become damaged, it can irritate this nerve and cause pain.

More on vertebrogenic pain

Proven relief of vertebrogenic pain

Less pain

Nearly 66% of patients had a 50% or greater reduction in pain after 5 years.2

More activity

Nearly 70% of patients were able to resume the activity level enjoyed prior to the onset of low back pain.2

Proven safe

Less than 0.3% rate of procedure-related complications in clinical trials.3

1-time procedure

69% of patients avoided any additional low back spine treatments for 5 years after the procedure.4

How does the Intracept Procedure work?

The Intracept Procedure is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that is proven to provide long-lasting vertebrogenic pain relief.5

Your pain specialist may recommend the Intracept Procedure when nonsurgical options like medications, injections, or physical therapy aren’t enough to treat your CLBP.  

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Before

The Intracept Procedure is performed in an outpatient surgery center. You will typically receive general anesthesia before the procedure for your comfort, so you must bring someone you trust to drive you home afterwards.

Follow any directions your pain specialist gives you related to the medication or supplements you take in the days leading up to your procedure.

A healthcare worker in protective gear stands by a patient lying on a medical table.

During the Intracept Procedure

Unlike surgeries, the Intracept Procedure is implant-free. During the procedure, your pain doctor will create a small incision in your back to access your basivertebral nerve (BVN).

A close-up of a spinal section showing nerves, disc, and highlighted inflammation.

Targeting the nerve

The doctor will use imaging and special tools to access the BVN, which sends pain signals from the damage in your lower back to your brain.

Detailed view of a spinal disc with a tool heating up the impacted nerve root.

Heating the nerve

Once the BVN has been successfully reached, radio frequency energy will be used to heat the nerve to stop it from sending pain signals.

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After

The whole procedure usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. You will be able to go home once sedation has worn off.  Your doctor may recommend some precautions to take, but after a brief recovery period, you should be able to resume normal activities.

Most people start to feel pain relief within two weeks to three months after the Intracept Procedure.6-8

Get back what pain has stolen from you

CLBP can take so much from you: That spontaneous road trip, that special hug, that long-lost workout routine. Let’s bring these moments back with the Intracept Procedure, the only procedure clinically proven to provide relief of vertebrogenic pain.

Learn more about Intracept

Vertebrogenic pain and the Intracept Procedure

Understand the common symptoms for vertebrogenic pain and how the Intracept Procedure can get you back to the life you’ve been missing. 

REAL SUCCESS STORIES

Alison’s story: The Intracept Procedure

“I was one of the first people to have the Intracept Procedure…it’s been 5 1/2 years that I’ve been pain free.”

REAL SUCCESS STORIES

Bill’s story: The Intracept Procedure

“For the first time in 19 years, I don’t hurt.”

REAL SUCCESS STORIES

Jeff’s story: The Intracept Procedure

“I’m back in the gym every day. It’s been seven years since I’ve squatted or did a dead lift.”

More Intracept patient stories

The patient quotes in this material describe real personal experiences. Individual results may vary. Patients can experience different levels of pain management and different changes in their activities and use of medications. Consult with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure and what you may gain from the therapy.

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Why choose Boston Scientific?

Boston Scientific pain management solutions offer key advantages backed by solid clinical evidence. In particular, therapy that can be personalized to treat your unique pain may help you find relief other treatments have failed to provide.

See the Boston Scientific difference

Take your next step toward pain relief

Explore helpful Intracept resources

From data to deep dives, find everything you need to continue learning about the Intracept Procedure.

Browse resources
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References  

  1. Koreckij T, Kreiner S, Khalil JG, Smuck M, Markman J, Garfin S. Prospective, randomized, multicenter study of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: 24-month treatment arm results. NASSJ. Published online October 26, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xnsj.2021.100089 
  2. Khalil, J., et al. Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation: 5-year outcomes from three long-term follow-up studies. Interventional Pain Medicine, Volume 3, Issue 4, 2024,100529, ISSN 2772-5944, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpm.2024.100529.doi.org/10.1007/s00586-020-06448-x 
  3. Data on file. 
  4. Khalil JG, Truumees E, Macadaeg K, et al. Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation: A 5-year pooled analysis from three prospective clinical trials. PubMed. 2024. 
  5. Fischgrund J, Rhyne A, Macadaeg K, et al. 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;29(8):1925-34. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-020-06448-x 
  6. Fischgrund JS, Rhyne A, Franke J, et al. Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: a prospective randomized double-blind sham-controlled multi-center study. Eur Spine J. 2018;27(5):1146-56. doi:10.1007/s00586-018-5496-1 
  7. Smuck M, Khalil JG, Barrett K, Hirsch JA, Kreiner S, Koreckij T, et al. A prospective, randomized, multi-center study of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: 12-month results. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2021;rapm-2020-102259. doi:10.1136/rapm-2020-102259 
  8. Macadaeg, E. Truumees, B. Boody, E. Pena, J. Arbuckle II, J. Gentile, R. Funk, D. Singh, S. Vinayek, A prospective, single arm study of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: 12-month results, North American Spine Society Journal (NASSJ) (2020), doi.org/10.1016/j.xnsj.2020.100030  

 

§The physician locator tool identifies pain management specialists in your area who have met certain qualifying criteria and are experienced with one or more of Boston Scientific pain management therapies. All treatment options should be discussed thoroughly with a pain management specialist.

Indications for Use: The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Systems* are indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs including unilateral or bilateral pain associated with the following: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Types I and II, Intractable low back pain and leg pain, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of the lower extremities, Radicular pain syndrome, Radiculopathies resulting in pain secondary to failed back syndrome or herniated disc, Epidural fibrosis, Degenerative disc disease (herniated disc pain refractory to conservative and surgical interventions), Arachnoiditis, Multiple back surgeries.

The Boston Scientific Spectra WaveWriter™, WaveWriter Alpha™ and WaveWriter Alpha™ Prime SCS Systems are also indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable unilateral or bilateral low back and leg pain without prior back surgery.

*The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Systems include the following: Precision™ System, Precision Spectra™ System, Precision Novi™ System, Precision Montage™ MRI System, Spectra WaveWriter™ System, WaveWriter Alpha™ System, WaveWriter Alpha™ Prime System.

Note: CRPS I was previously referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and CRPS II was previously referred to as causalgia.

The mySCS™ Go Therapy Controller is intended to communicate with and control the compatible Boston Scientific Stimulator.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator systems are not for patients who are unable to operate the system, have failed trial stimulation by failing to receive effective pain relief, are poor surgical candidates, or are pregnant.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. Patients implanted with Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Exposure to MRI may result in dislodgement of the stimulator or leads, heating of the stimulator, severe damage to the stimulator electronics and an uncomfortable or jolting sensation. As a Spinal Cord Stimulation patient, you should not have diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause uncomfortable jolting stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. The Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator system may interfere with the operation of implanted sensing stimulators such as pacemakers or implanted cardiac defibrillators. Advise your physician that you have a Spinal Cord Stimulator before going through with other implantable device therapies so that medical decisions can be made and appropriate safety measures taken. Patients using therapy that generates paresthesia should not operate motorized vehicles such as automobiles or potentially dangerous machinery and equipment with the stimulation on. Stimulation must be turned off first in such cases. For therapy that does not generate paresthesia (i.e. subperception therapy) it is less likely that sudden stimulation changes resulting in distraction could occur while having stimulation on when operating moving vehicles, machinery, and equipment.

Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the device and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, call 866.360.4747 or visit Pain.com.

Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Indications for use: The Intracept™ Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System is indicated for patients who have had chronic low back pain for at least six months, who have tried conservative care for at least six months, and whose MRI shows features consistent with Modic changes – indicating damage at the vertebral endplates has led to inflammation. Not every patient who meets these criteria is a candidate for the Intracept Procedure, however – in fact, there are specific characteristics indicating a patient should not be considered for the procedure.

Contraindications: Patients who are pregnant. Patients with weakened cardiac or pulmonary function, having an active implanted electronic medical device in the body (such as a pacemaker or defibrillator), being diagnosed with a systemic or local infection, or having an anatomy that could be damaged unintentionally while ablating the basivertebral nerve (based on your physicians’ clinical review). Patients who are skeletally immature – which generally means individuals under the age of 18 are not candidates.

Warnings: There are also certain risks and precautions regarding the procedure which you should be aware of before proceeding. With all medical procedures, there are risks and precautions associated with the procedure and the use of the device, talk with your doctor about what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients for the Intracept Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects visit www.relievant.com/intracept/.
Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Indications for Use: The Boston Scientific Radiofrequency Generators, associated Radiofrequency Lesion Probes and RF Cannula are indicated for use in procedures to create radiofrequency lesions for the treatment of pain or for lesioning nerve tissue for functional neurosurgical procedures. The Boston Scientific RF Injection Electrodes are used for percutaneous nerve blocks with local anesthetic solution for radiofrequency lesioning of peripheral nerve tissue only. The Boston Scientific LCED and Stereotactic TCD Electrodes are indicated for use in radiofrequency (RF) heat lesioning of nervous tissue including the Central Nervous System.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. The Boston Scientific RF devices may cause interference with active devices such as neurostimulators, cardiac pacemakers, and defibrillators. Interference may affect the action of these active devices or may damage them. Talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the Boston Scientific Radiofrequency Generators, associated Radiofrequency Lesion Probes and RF Cannula and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For appropriate guidance, consult the instructions for use for these active devices.

Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

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