Advances in Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review

Chronic low back pain has traditionally been thought to stem from intervertebral disc degeneration. However, emerging evidence over the last few decades has revealed other contributing sources. One such etiology of chronic non-radiating axial low back pain has been attributed to vertebral end plate disruption and degeneration, leading to basivertebral nerve-mediated nociception. These degenerative events, described as Modic changes on MRI, provide a means of diagnosis and offer personalized treatment options, like minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation, to help address this source of low back pain. This review focuses on recent advancements, rationale, efficacy, and safety profile intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation in the treatment of vertebrogenic back pain, and discusses current knowledge gaps that may help guide future research in the field.