Pre-surgical Psychological Evaluations Chronic Pain and Opioid Risk Evaluations

Your doctor has recommended a basivertebral nerve ablation (BNA), such as an Intracept, ViaVerte or OptaBlate procedure to manage your pain. The BNA is an FDA-approved, drug-free therapy that relieves chronic pain and helps you reclaim some quality of life. Your physician and pain management team will explain how the BNA uses radio frequency heat to disable the basivertebral nerve, preventing it from transmitting pain signals to the brain without the need for implants or hardware. Under general anesthesia or heavy sedation, a doctor guides a specialized probe into the affected vertebrae using real-time X-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance. Then radio frequency energy is used to heat the nerve, permanently stopping its ability to send pain signals. The procedure takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and patients generally return home the same day.
 

The psychological evaluation is a positive step toward controlling your pain and is required by
your insurance carrier as part of a standard protocol for eligibility for the procedure. It is intended to assess your psychological suitability to ensure your safety and wellbeing. It provides
a starting point where you can begin to move forward at a pace that you’re comfortable with
while gaining confidence towards managing your pain effectively.
 

Your psychological evaluation begins with a consultation which provides you with an opportunity to discuss how your past and current experiences have brought you to consider BNA and to discuss the symptoms that are getting in the way of doing the things that matter most to you. During the evaluation process we will talk through the psychological measures which help me understand your emotional wellbeing and how you process stress and manage pain. This provides a more comprehensive view of your psychological framework. Once completed, I will review the results with you, answer your questions, address any remaining concerns, and if needed, offer you suggestions to help tailor your treatment plan to your unique psychological framework. I'll then send the report to your physician.

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While most people are great candidates for this procedure, we simply like to ensure there aren't any psychological, emotional, cognitive, or lifestyle factors that might impact your safety or recovery. If BNA isn't the best fit for you right now, I’ll update your physician with detailed feedback to ensure they have the information needed to recommend alternative treatments or help you effectively manage your pain until you're ready to reconsider BNA.

Our assessment provides safeguards that BNA is a psychologically good fit for
you and is fully aligned with your wellness goals so you can focus on the moments that matter
most and get back to the activities you enjoy.