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Basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA)
- Care rated as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ by 97% of our orthopaedic patients
- No. 1 in London with more spinal treatments than any other provider
- Appointments confirmed in as little as 24 hours
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BVNA AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
When you're looking for an answer for your lower back injury and pain, you need to know you’re in the very best hands, and will have access to advanced treatments, tailored to your specific needs.
Our orthopaedic and neurosurgical specialists offer highly tailored treatments for any spinal condition or injury, with advanced imaging for more accurate diagnoses. No wonder 97% of our orthopaedic patients said they’d recommend HCA UK to their family and friends.
Our orthopaedic and neurosurgical specialists offer highly tailored treatments for any spinal condition or injury, with advanced imaging for more accurate diagnoses. No wonder 97% of our orthopaedic patients said they’d recommend HCA UK to their family and friends.
Basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA) is an advanced, minimally invasive technique designed to treat long-term disc-related back pain.
This highly targeted procedure uses heat generated by radiofrequency (a type of low-energy radiation that is safe for medical procedures) to disrupt the nerve pathway causing the pain. The heat is delivered to a very precise area by a probe – targeting the basivertebral nerve above and below the disc identified to be causing the pain.
This highly targeted procedure uses heat generated by radiofrequency (a type of low-energy radiation that is safe for medical procedures) to disrupt the nerve pathway causing the pain. The heat is delivered to a very precise area by a probe – targeting the basivertebral nerve above and below the disc identified to be causing the pain.
Chronic low back pain is a very common and often debilitating condition that affects many adults in the UK. The pain is often connected to age-related degeneration of the intervertebral discs and associated vertebral structures.
Like most joints of the body, the vertebral discs in your spine endure wear and tear. Over time the discs can suffer damage and can cause inflammation and irritate the basivertebral nerve.
Like most joints of the body, the vertebral discs in your spine endure wear and tear. Over time the discs can suffer damage and can cause inflammation and irritate the basivertebral nerve.
This treatment is a very good option for patients who have tried all other conservative management options, such as physiotherapy or steroid injection.
It’s particularly known for its success in restoring quality of life for patients who have suffered from chronic, isolated lower back pain for more than six months and don’t show evidence of nerve root compression or other structural abnormalities.
It’s particularly known for its success in restoring quality of life for patients who have suffered from chronic, isolated lower back pain for more than six months and don’t show evidence of nerve root compression or other structural abnormalities.
Mr Irfan Malik performs this minimally invasive spinal surgery at The Harley Street Clinic.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic and spinal care
30+
different spinal treatments with care tailored to you
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist spinal consultants
The BVNA process
Your patient journey
From the moment you step through the door, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible. One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred, or you have a referral from a GP, the first step will be an initial consultation to examine you, find out more about your symptoms and answer any questions you may have.
Your consultant may potentially offer a spinal injection to relieve any pain, or they may refer you to our physiotherapy team for further support. Once any conservative treatments have been tried and tested, your consultant will assess your suitability for BVNA treatment.
02
Tests and scans
During your initial appointment, your consultant will usually request an MRI, if one hasn’t been done recently, to help confirm the location of any injury or pain. They may also suggest a SPECT-CT or discogram to further determine which vertebrae are causing the pain.
03
Your BVNA procedure
The procedure is usually delivered using local anaesthetic, although sometimes a general anaesthetic is necessary. Your consultant will make two or three small incisions to target the vertebral nerves. During the procedure, they will use live X-ray imaging to accurately place the probe.
The treatment takes around 30 to 60 minutes.
04
Follow-up and ongoing care
As BVNA is minimally invasive, you should be able to go home the same day. Your consultant will advise you on what physical activity to avoid and how soon you can get back to your daily activities. They will also arrange a follow-up assessment to check on your progress.
You may experience some post-operative swelling or soreness, which can be managed with ice and over-the-counter pain medication, as directed by your surgeon.
OUR FACILITIES
Where can I meet Mr Malik for a consultation?
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading consultants are here to support you, from initial consultation through to aftercare. You can meet Mr Malik for your consultation at the following locations:
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Basivertebral nerve ablation FAQs
It’s important to tell your doctor about any medications you’re on. If you’re taking any medicines, particularly anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning medicines, you may be asked to stop taking these for a few days before the procedure.
If you’re having the procedure done under local anaesthetic, you may feel some light pressure during the procedure, but you generally won’t feel any pain. If you do feel any pain afterwards it can usually be alleviated by icing the area or taking some over-the-counter pain medication.
You may need to take it easy for a day or two after the procedure, but you can usually get back to your day-to-day activities quite quickly. Your consultant will advise what to avoid and when you can start driving and exercising again.
No, you should not drive your care after your treatment. Please arrange for family or friend to accompany you home.
Whilst this procedure is an innovative approach to back pain relief, the procedure may provide minor and temporary side effects. As with any injection treatment the risks of complications are rare.
Side effects can occasionally include pain at the site of injection, numbness or pain in the lower back or leg, or potential complications such as infection, bleeding or even nerve injury (which is extremely rare).
You may also experience some temporarily increased pain or stiffness just after the procedure – however this should pass with time.
A detailed discussion with your spine specialist will help you understand the risks and benefits and determine if BVNA is the right treatment for you.
Side effects can occasionally include pain at the site of injection, numbness or pain in the lower back or leg, or potential complications such as infection, bleeding or even nerve injury (which is extremely rare).
You may also experience some temporarily increased pain or stiffness just after the procedure – however this should pass with time.
A detailed discussion with your spine specialist will help you understand the risks and benefits and determine if BVNA is the right treatment for you.
Radiofrequency ablation is described as a minimally invasive procedure because of the small incisions which minimises the impact or disruption to your skin and tissues.
BVNA is effective for patients who have been unresponsive to conservative treatments offering long-term and sustained reduction in back pain (following multiple clinical trials and the INTRACEPT study). Representing a significant advancement in the treatment of chronic vertebra-related lower back pain, BVNA is a targeted, evidence-based approach that can restore quality of life for patients who have exhausted other options.
Patient stories
Back on track: How surgery helped a visitor from America get free from pain
Brandon Zuck had just arrived in the UK from America. It was the beginning of a holiday he’d been looking forward to, a chance to catch up with friends, a little sightseeing. Needless to say, a complex surgical procedure was not on the must-do list.
Getting back to normal after spinal surgery: Ruth’s story
When consultant spinal surgeon Mr Robert Lee first glanced at the MRI scan of retired music teacher Ruth’s lumbar spine, he did a double take.
"I took an eight-hour flight to the States ten days after spinal surgery"
After suffering months of discomfort, Sara’s lower back and shooting leg pain became so excruciating she could barely stand, and was diagnosed with a slipped disc. Her consultant referred her to Mr Irfan Malik, a highly experienced consultant neurosurgeon at The Harley Street Clinic who could perform endoscopic ‘keyhole’ spinal surgery.
“The level of care and attentiveness I got...was great – so focused. Everybody was so accommodating, and right on top of everything the whole time. They were great.”
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