Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Chronic Low Back Pain
Chronic low back pain can be frustrating, exhausting, and life-limiting—especially when it persists despite physical therapy, medications, or injections. For some patients, the source of pain is not the muscles or discs alone, but deeper structures within the spine itself. In these cases, basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA) may offer a meaningful and lasting treatment option.
BVNA is a minimally invasive procedure designed for a specific type of chronic low back pain that has not responded to standard conservative care. When appropriately selected, patients may experience significant improvement in pain and function without the need for implants or major surgery.
Understanding the Pain — In Plain Language
Not all low back pain comes from the same place. In some patients, pain originates from the vertebral bones of the spine rather than from a pinched nerve or muscle strains. These changes are experienced by small pain-sensing nerves within the vertebrae, leading to persistent, deep, aching low back pain that often worsens with sitting, bending, or prolonged activity.
This type of pain does not always respond well to traditional treatments like injections around the joints or nerves. That is where BVNA becomes relevant—it focuses on calming the specific pain signals coming from within the spine bone itself.
What Is Basivertebral Nerve Ablation?
Basivertebral nerve ablation is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that uses controlled radiofrequency energy to quiet the nerve signals responsible for this form of chronic low back pain. The treatment is performed through a small access point using advanced imaging guidance, without placing any permanent hardware in the spine.
The goal is not to “mask” pain, but to address the underlying pain signal at its source. Clinical studies have shown that many patients experience meaningful and durable relief, often lasting for five years or more.
Tools Matter — But Patient Selection Matters More
There are FDA-cleared systems available to perform BVNA, including technologies used in the Boston Scientific Intracept® Procedure and newer platforms such as Stryker OptaBlate® BVN. While the tools are important, the most critical factor is selecting the right patient for the right procedure.
This treatment is not for everyone—and it should not be offered as a one-size-fits-all solution.
Dr. Amir Mahajer’s Approach: Precision, Not Protocols
Dr. Amir Mahajer approaches chronic low back pain with a comprehensive and thoughtful mindset. His philosophy is simple but disciplined:
Right patient. Right diagnosis. Right treatment. Right tools.
Every patient undergoes a detailed clinical evaluation and careful review of imaging to ensure the true source of pain is identified. Dr. Mahajer considers all appropriate treatment options—ranging from rehabilitation and medication optimization to interventional procedures and surgical coordination when needed.
When BVNA is recommended, it is because it fits the patient’s diagnosis, goals, and long-term health—not because it is the newest or most convenient option. Care is coordinated deliberately, with the understanding that the best outcomes come from matching the correct solution to the correct problem.
Who May Be a Candidate?
Patients who may benefit from BVNA typically:
Have had chronic low back pain for six months or longer
Have not achieved lasting relief with conservative treatments
Have imaging findings consistent with pain originating from within the vertebrae (Modic I/II Changes)
Do not require urgent or emergent spine surgery
A thorough evaluation is essential to confirm candidacy.
What to Expect
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis with sedation. Most patients go home the same day and resume normal activities gradually under guidance. Because there are no implants and minimal tissue disruption, recovery is typically straightforward.
A Thoughtful Option for the Right Patient
Basivertebral nerve ablation represents an important advancement for a specific group of patients with chronic low back pain. When used appropriately, it can provide meaningful, long-term relief and improve quality of life.
If you are struggling with persistent low back pain and want a careful, individualized evaluation—not a cookie-cutter recommendation—Dr. Amir Mahajer and the team are here to help.
Schedule a consultation to determine whether BVNA or another treatment approach is right for you.
