Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates’ Dr. Andrew Sumich is one of a handful of physiatrists across the country participating in trials of Relievant Medsystems' revolutionary technology that can reduce long-term pain for patients with chronic low back pain: the Intracept Spine Procedure.

The secret to the procedure lies in new research, which deepens the medical understanding of spinal anatomy. While most patients experiencing low back pain are treated for discogenic pain, recent findings have revealed that pain can actually originate from vertebral endplates, the bones found on either side of the disc.

Intracept targets the basivertebral nerve in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, which improves function and decreases pain, even in the long term — a differentiating factor from many other low back pain treatment options.

Dr. Sumich has worked with approximately 40 patients in FDA-approved trials and has seen remarkable results firsthand, claiming that many procedures have resulted in “a home run” for pain relief.

He shares when the procedure is a viable option for those experiencing chronic lower back pain, when other treatment options may be a better fit, and discusses the profile of an ideal candidate for the revolutionary procedure.

Tune in to episode #41 of Back Talk Doc with Dr. Sumich to learn about the nitty-gritty of this medical procedure and how it’s transforming patients’ lives by reducing low back pain.

 

💡 Featured Expert 💡

Name: Andrew Sumich, MD

What he does: Dr. Andrew Sumich is a member of the Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine team. He is a board certified physiatrist, specializing in interventional spine care.

Company: Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates

Words of wisdom: “Where we put medicine matters in terms of what's hurting or not.”

Connect: LinkedIn

 

⚓ Anchor Points ⚓

Top takeaways from this Back Talk Doc episode

★    There’s no one-size-fits-all for treating pain. There are many different causes for pain. Pain generation is an essential part of a medical diagnosis because it signals which treatment plans are most likely to benefit the patient. Not all pain indicates the same root cause, so while The Intracept Procedure may be a good fit for some candidates, it’s not a cure-all.

★    The Intracept Procedure targets vertebrogenic pain. Medical understanding of the spine continues to evolve. The role of endplates in the spine have just recently gained increased attention.

While most cases of chronic low back pain are treated as discogenic disorders, advanced and new understanding of the role of vertebral endplates has changed how to decrease pain for some patients. Vertebrogenic pain, unlike disc-oriented pain, is transmitted through the basivertebral nerve. The Intracept Procedure targets the nerve with a one-time ablation.

★ The results are “staggering.” Intracept’s parent company, Relievant Medsystems, has tracked results of the surgical procedure over a five-year period — a shockingly long time period for medical technology studies. The long-term efficacy of the procedure is unlike anything else that Dr. Sumich has seen in spine care. He’s also seen anecdotal evidence in the improved quality of life from the trial participants he’s treated.

 

⚕️ Episode Insights ⚕️

[00:00] Check out our sponsor: QxMD builds mobile solutions that drive evidence-based medicine and clinical practice.

[01:42] Introducing Dr. Sumich: Dr. Andrew Sumich returns to the podcast to talk about a novel technique to treat low back pain: the Intracept Spinal Procedures. Dr. Sumich previously discussed spinal injections on one of our most downloaded episodes of Back Talk Doc.

[03:59] A breakthrough for back pain: The Intracept Procedure is a recent advancement in helping with neuropathic pain. Dr. Sumich shares the development of the procedure and how the field’s understanding of spinal anatomy has evolved.

[05:54] Pain generators, explained: There are many different things that can cause back pain.  Identifying which spinal structure is the biggest source of pain is essential to determining a treatment plan.

[9:15] Parts of the spine: The vertebral endplate is the anatomical focus for intracept spinal procedures. The understanding of endplate anatomy and how endplate health influences pain is a recent evolution in neuropathic medicine.

[10:13] Procedural options for back pain: Dr. Sumich provides an overview of treatment options for patients experiencing lower back pain (without pain that travels down the legs). Many patients have similar symptoms, but need different treatment plans.

[18:54] New knowledge creates new solutions: Medical breakthroughs in better understanding discogenic pain have allowed doctors to develop new treatments that better target root causes to pain.

[22:39] Durable pain relief: Unlike lumbar facet joint ablation, which needs to be repeated, intracept spinal procedures do not need to be repeated and results in long-term relief.

[24:17] Profile of an ideal patient: Dr. Sumich discusses FDA-approved indications that qualify potential patients for the new procedure.

[28:37] Insurance coverage for new technology: As is often the case, health insurance agencies are hesitant to cover new procedures. Parent company, Relievant Medsystems, can be a resource for individuals looking to pursue the procedure, but needing help coordinating insurance coverage.

[30:03] When a procedure hits a homerun: Dr. Sumich has helped approximately 40 patients at Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates since 2020. He is pleased with the success rates and patient feedback.

[31:36] When a lumbar fusion is the better bet: Sometimes a lumbar fusion is a better solution to back pain. This depends on the patient’s level of instability. In some circumstances, a lumbar fusion is a better option, especially for those with narrowing foramen. Intracept spinal procedures are better suited for those in the early stages of disc degeneration.

[35:35] The upsides and downsides: Dr. Sumich shares the benefits of the new technology and outlines potential risk factors.

[39:43] Yoga as a health tool: Morning yoga has become a regular part of Dr. Sumich’s well-being regimen during the pandemic. A personal favorite is “5 Sun Salutation As +Bs” on YouTube.

 

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👉 If you enjoyed this episode of Back Talk Doc, check out our recent episode These Simple Exercises Will Keep Your Back Healthy With Jackson Bellis, DPT.

🔎 For more information on Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia and the podcast visit BackTalkDoc.com.

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Back Talk Doc is brought to you by Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, with offices in North and South Carolina. To learn more about Dr. Lakhia and treatment options for back and spine issues, go to backtalkdoc.com. To schedule an appointment with Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, you can call us at 1-800-344-6716 or visit our website at carolinaneurosurgery.com.