BASIVERTEBRAL NERVE ABLATION AT LUMBAR SEGMENTS PREVIOUSLY FUSED WITH PEDICLE SCREWS
TO TREAT AXIAL LOWER BACK PAIN

Post fusion adjacent segment degeneration is a common phenomenon and traditionally has no simple interventional solution. If neuraxial compromise is present, extension of the fusion is often warranted, but if no neurological symptoms are present, no surgical options exist. Patients often require a multi-modal approach to treat the residual axial pain. Basivertebral nerve ablation has been employed successfully for patients vertebrogenic pain, but there is very limited data in patients with previous fusion and adjacent segment disease.

 

This is a case report of a 77 year old male who presented to our practice with significant, recurring lower back pain after an initial L4-L5 fusion and extension to L3. His initial pain began a few years after his revision surgery, with the worst symptoms and most functional decline approximately 6 years post-op.