Vertebrogenic low back pain is a type of chronic back pain that comes from the bones in your spine, specifically the vertebrae. Inside these bones is a nerve called the basivertebral nerve, which can send pain signals when the surrounding area becomes irritated or damaged. This irritation often happens because of wear and tear in the spine, leading to changes in the bone and cartilage near the discs that separate the vertebrae. These changes, called Modic changes, can be seen on MRI scans and are a key sign of vertebrogenic pain. Unlike other types of
back pain caused by muscles or discs, this pain originates from the vertebrae themselves.
People with vertebrogenic pain often feel a deep ache in their lower back that gets worse with activities like sitting or standing for long periods. It doesn’t usually improve with common treatments like physical therapy or pain medications because the issue lies inside the bones and nerves. Diagnosing this condition accurately is important, as it requires different treatments from other kinds of back pain. MRIs help doctors pinpoint this problem so they can offer targeted therapies, like the Intracept procedure, which specifically addresses the irritated nerve causing the pain.
