Bringing Hope to More Patients with CLBP

Many patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) remain refractory despite physical therapy, rehabilitation, pain medication, and even surgery. AHN Neuroscience Institute is dedicated to expanding access to cutting-edge therapies, including Intracept® and ReActiv8®, that can help certain patients achieve meaningful, lasting relief and improved function.

Intracept®: Targeted relief for vertebrogenic pain

AHN neurosurgeons Justin Davanzo, MD, and Akash D. Agarwal, MD, are leading the region in innovative CLBP care for patients who have exhausted traditional options. They are among only three neurosurgeons nationwide designated as Centers of Excellence for the Intracept procedure.

Intracept is the only FDA-cleared basivertebral nerve (BVN) ablation procedure designed specifically to treat vertebrogenic CLBP. Rather than targeting discs or posterior elements, Intracept focuses on the BVN that transmits pain signals to the brain from inflamed endplates. This inflammation appears on MRI scans as Modic changes, which are directly correlated with CLBP.

Performed through a small incision in an outpatient setting, the Intracept procedure uses radiofrequency energy to ablate the BVN, interrupting pain transmission without affecting motor or sensory function. This targeted approach offers a lasting result, with up to 80% of patients reporting at least 50% pain reduction and some experiencing near-complete relief within weeks.

“We have had multiple young patients who have presented with isolated low back pain and significant Modic changes,” said Dr. Davanzo, attending neurosurgeon and director of critical care at AHN. “Nearly all these patients have noted significant relief that has allowed them to return to their desired activities.”

ReActiv8®: Restorative neurostimulation for multifidus-related low back pain

AHN is the only health system in the region to offer ReActiv8 restorative neuromodulation for patients whose CLBP is driven by impaired neuromuscular control and multifidus muscle atrophy. This targeted approach offers a durable solution for patients who have only achieved limited relief from conservative interventions or surgical treatments and are not suitable candidates for more invasive spine surgery.

ReActiv8 works by delivering electrical pulses that activate the multifidus muscle, restoring spinal stability through episodic, isolated muscle contractions. The outpatient implantation typically takes less than an hour. Two weeks post-implantation, patients self-administer two daily 30-minute therapy sessions.

“Our first patient noticed meaningful improvement within six weeks,” said Dr. Davanzo, the exclusive provider of the ReActiv8 device in southwestern Pennsylvania. “Her quality of life has improved significantly, and she is very happy with the results.”

Unlike purely analgesic therapies, ReActiv8 addresses underlying neuromuscular dysfunction, with patients reporting meaningful improvement in function and quality of life over several months.

How to refer

If your patient’s CLBP is difficult to control or interfering with their daily life, refer them to AHN Neuroscience Institute for evaluation and treatment that can target the underlying causes of specific types of CLBP. To make a referral, please call:

• 412-858-7766 for Dr. Davanzo, who offers Intracept and ReActiv8
• 412-267-6360 for Dr. Agarwal, who offers Intracept