LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 1, 2023) – Approximately 30 million people suffer from chronic low back pain in the U.S., with 1 in 6 suffering from vertebrogenic low back pain.
Stephen Paulus, M.D. of the OrthoArkansas Spine Institute, has improved the quality of life of more than 100 patients using the Intracept® Procedure to combat vertebrogenic low back pain. It is a specific type of pain, pretty common and often misdiagnosed. For years, specialists focused on treating the disc, but now they know this pain originates from vertebral endplates, hence, vertebrogenic pain.
“This is a game changer in spine care,” said Paulus. “Historically, there hasn’t been a treatment option for patients with this type of pain. The magnitude and longevity of pain relief from this procedure are significant,” he said.
Paulus is just one of two spine specialists in Arkansas who use the Intracept® procedure; he is the only doctor in Central Arkansas to use the procedure. Because of his success, he has received requests from around the U.S. to train spine specialists on the Intracept®.
“This is truly a breakthrough procedure that we are so happy to offer to patients suffering from debilitating back pain,” said Director of Marketing and Sports Medicine Outreach, Traci Byrd.
Patients who suffer from vertebrogenic pain typically have pain in the middle of their lower back, and it’s worse when they bend over, sit for long periods, or are active. The Intracept ® Procedure by Relievant Medsystems uses radiofrequency energy to heat the basivertebral nerve. The technology stops the nerve from transmitting pain signals to the brain. The procedure takes about an hour, and the patient goes home the same day.
Intracept patient Debra Thomen suffered from lower back pain for nearly eight years. After multiple rounds of injections and physical therapy, she was referred to Paulus.
“I didn’t move a lot, got depressed, and got to my highest weight,” said Thomen. “I’m down 63 pounds because I was able to start moving. Within two weeks, I was 50 percent better on the pain scale,” she said.
Not every patient with low back pain is a candidate for the Intracept® procedure. Patients must have chronic lower back pain for at least six months, 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, according to the Relievant website.
To learn more about our team of spine specialists and the Intracept® Procedure, visit OrthoArkansas.com.
About OrthoArkansas
OrthoArkansas offers specialized orthopedic diagnostics, treatment, surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain management, and more – all backed by Arkansas’s most skilled, experienced orthopedic professionals. OrthoArkansas has 9 locations across the state, three surgery centers and two urgent cares. Their physicians, nurses, therapists, and staff provide comprehensive care with subspecialization that focuses on the patient’s specific needs.
