Intracept Specialist

Eric K. Fanaee, MD

Board Certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology located in West Islip, NY, Smithtown, NY & Bethpage, NY

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Chronic back pain is a common complaint among adults. It can range from a mild ache to a disabling, constant, stabbing pain. The pain often comes and goes and can be exacerbated by certain movements or positions. It can also radiate into the arms and legs and affect sleep.

Intracept Q & A

3d illustration of a vertabrae with its inside transparent and highlightitng how the basivertebral nerve goes accross the extremities

Chronic back pain often keeps people from performing activities they once enjoyed. Most people try to manage their condition with medication, physical therapy, or a combination of the two. When other treatments are no longer effective, Intracept® by Relievant can provide relief.

ERIC FANAEE, MD is board-certified in interventional pain management and anesthesiology. Dr. Fanaee offers Intracept as a treatment for chronic back pain. Dr. Fanaee was one of the first physicians to perform the Intracept procedure at St.Catherine of Sienna Hospital where he is chair of pain management.

What is Intracept?

Intracept is a minimally-invasive alternative to surgical procedures to treat chronic back pain. The method can successfully reduce vertebrogenic pain by targeting the vertebrae nerve called the basivertebral. This innovative solution can stop pain where it starts to result in longer-lasting pain relief compared to other therapies like medications and steroid injections.

Why do I Have low back pain?

New research into back pain has shed light on the true source of pain—and it isn’t the discs. The long-standing belief is that much of the lower back pain patients experience begins with discs, the rubbery cushions between each bone in the spine. Pain in the discs can result from an injury, bulge or slip, or the natural aging process, all of which can cause excruciating pain.

Although disc pain is still a relevant factor in lower back pain, it is now thought to have a deeper connection with the bone. Where the spine bones and discs meet, injury or wear and tear can cause increased pain on the bone’s surface. Intracept was created based on new research that indicated lower back pain originates in the bone rather than the discs.

How does intracept work on low back pain?

Based on new research about lower back pain, Intracept was created to target vertebrogenic pain, a specific type of bone pain. Intracept treats the basivertebral nerve, the main nerve in the spine bones. A small probe targets the bone and creates energy to ablate the nerve and disconnect the receptors from sending pain signals. The procedure is completed in four steps:

Intracept process step 1 — Locate the Vertebrae

A sharp tool is inserted through an incision into the vertebrae.

Intracept process step 2 — Create a Pathway

A unique curved tool creates a path to the base of the basivertebral nerve.

Intracept process step 3 — The Radiofrequency Probe

An RF probe is inserted along the path and placed at the basivertebral nerve.

Intracept process step 4 — Ablation

The RF probe uses heat to destroy the nerve, making it unable to send pain signals.

The procedure takes approximately one to two hours to complete. Intracept is a new and innovative treatment that requires precision and experience. Dr. Fanaee is a highly specialized physician with more than 15 years of experience in headache, spine, and pain management. He also has experience performing this procedure and can walk patients through the process and expectations.

Benefits of Intracept

Older methods and procedures for treating chronic low back pain are typically ineffective and extensive. Surgery is a massive commitment with no guarantee of success but is no longer the only option for lower back pain. With the advanced technology available today, more straightforward and effective options are available to reduce chronic pain.

Intracept is a highly effective option that can minimize debilitating pain when other treatments have not made an impact. There are many benefits to using Intracept by Relievant, including:

Proven, durable relief for chronic low back pain
Minimally invasive outpatient procedure
Targets the origin of pain, the basivertebral nerve
Implant-free, preserves future treatment options
Ideal for patients who have not responded to other therapies

How soon will I see the Benefits of Intracept?

Results vary by patient and can depend on the severity of the condition. Most patients feel results within 2-6 weeks after one injection, and more severe injuries or conditions can take up to one month to feel pain relief. Although the healing process begins within 24 hours after an injection, it can take time to make a noticeable difference.

What Outcome can I Expect?

Relievant Medsystems, the creator of Intracept, sponsored clinical trials with more than 400 participants to showcase the safety and efficacy of the treatment. The trials found that conditions improved an average of 53% within 24 months after the procedure.

Patients can expect to feel tender around the treatment area, but recovery is minimal, with rest needed for a day or two after the procedure. Most patients can slowly reintroduce normal daily activities within one week, being mindful of strenuous activity and heavy lifting.