A minimally invasive procedure relieves chronic low back pain that does not respond to other standard medical care. Learn more about Basivertebral nerve ablation or BVN and how you can find the relief that you deserve at Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates (MSSP) in Corinth.

Understanding the Spine

The vertebral endplate is a thin structure comprised of cartilage and bone that connects each vertebra and the spinal discs. The primary function of the vertebral endplates is to equalize loading between the spinal discs and the vertebrae bones. Spinal discs are like cushy shock absorbers with a gel-like center referred to as the nucleus, and when the vertebral endplates are damaged or degenerate, the vertebrae compress the discs, causing a bulging or slipped disc, leaking nucleus, or the disc may wear thin and degenerate entirely.

Chronic low back pain is inevitable with this type of damage to the lumbar spine. While spinal fusion surgery has long since been used to treat cases of chronic low back pain involving degenerative disease or disc damage, it is extensive surgery and requires a lengthy recovery. Additionally, research now shows that spinal fusion surgery may not be the best approach in treating back pain, rather a multidisciplinary approach with minimally invasive therapies and treatments provides better outcomes for patients.

What is Basivertebral nerve ablation?

Basivertebral nerve ablation is a minimally invasive procedure to treat chronic low back pain in patients whose vertebral endplates in the lumbar spine are damaged. The lumbar spine includes vertebrae S1-L5. Inside each vertebra is the Basivertebral nerve that sends sensory information, such as pain, from the vertebral endplates to the brain.

The BVN procedure works by creating a heat lesion known as ablation on the nerve that supplies sensation to the vertebral endplates, the Basivertebral nerve, to block pain signals and provide relief from chronic pain.

BVN is an outpatient procedure performed under mild or “twilight” sedation. You will be mildly sedated, and the targeted area is numbed so that you do not feel any discomfort during your procedure. The pain doctor makes a tiny incision at the targeted area to allow enough space to insert a thin needle-like device referred to as a cannula. The cannula uses radiofrequency to apply heat that destroys a tiny section of the Basivertebral nerve. Your pain management doctor near Tupelo uses a special x-ray machine to guide the cannula into the vertebrae for precise positioning and treatment to the affected area.

How do I know if Basivertebral nerve ablation is right for me?

You’ll first undergo a comprehensive consultation, as well as diagnostic imaging such as a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI to determine if there is any damage to the vertebral endplates from S1-L5, and the pain doctor in Corinth will determine if you experience mild to moderate chronic low back pain.

However, you may be a good candidate for BVN if you are an adult who has reached skeletal maturity and have:

• Low back pain longer than six months
• Reduced mobility or functional impairment
• Proven damage to your Basivertebral endplates as shown on an MRI
• Not responded well to non-surgical therapies like physical therapy, injection therapy, and pain medication

However, there are some instances in which individuals may not be good candidates for BVN including the following:

• Pregnancy
• Individuals with spinal infection or osteomyelitis
• Children (because their bones are still growing)
• Individuals with pacemakers or implanted defibrillators
• Individuals with severe heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder
• Individuals that have previously had spinal surgery that includes placement of hardware in the spine

Additionally, caution may be taken in instances where a patient has osteoporosis, metastatic cancer or tumors, bleeding disorders, or that is morbidly obese with a BMI of 40 or above.

How effective is Basivertebral nerve ablation?

According to studies, BVN improves chronic low back pain and function in at least 50-70% of patients, while some results may last as long as five years. Most patients experience relief as early as 2-6 weeks following their procedure, with the maximum effects being felt around 3-6 months later. Approximately 35% of patients’ pain completely resolve after their treatment.

What are the risks and side effects of Basivertebral nerve ablation?

As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects, although choosing a skilled pain management practitioner in Corinth helps reduce your risk of complications from BVN.

However, reported risks may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Nerve injury
• Allergic reaction to the anesthetic used

While some risks are associated with BVN, these risks and complications are minimal, considering the positive outcome. Furthermore, most patients report little to no discomfort following their procedure and often only need over-the-counter pain relievers. You may also want to apply an ice pack to the treated area three or four times a day.

Basivertebral Nerve Ablation in Southwest Tennessee and North Mississippi, including Tupelo, MS and Jackson TN

It’s time to put chronic low back pain in the past and live a pain-free life again. Learn more about BVN or schedule a consultation with Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates by calling (662) 284-8565 to find out if you are a candidate for this procedure.