Millions live with chronic back pain, often due to problems in the intervertebral discs like disc herniation, degeneration or bulging. Fortunately, there are two minimally invasive treatments that can help with alleviating this pain – annuloplasty vs biacuplasty. But how do these treatments match up, and which might suit you?
In this article, we’ll go into detail about the procedures and process of each and use that as a basis for comparing the procedures, benefits and outcomes of each so that you can make an informed decision on which pain treatment procedure to go for.
What is Annuloplasty?
Chronic upper and lower back pain caused by a damaged intervertebral disc, or herniation and degeneration, is treated using a minimally invasive spine procedure called annuloplasty.
Annuloplasty is specifically performed to repair problems in the annulus fibrosus, the outside layer of the disc. Instead of surgical open repair techniques, this procedure reduces pain and the need for long-term medication.
How Annuloplasty Works
The method involves inserting a catheter into the affected disc. After the catheter is placed, a heating element is placed in the disc’s internal structure which is in the annulus fibrosus.
This heat-based approach does several things such as:
- Sealing tears: The heat can repair small tears in the disc wall that may contribute to nerve compression and pain.
- Nerve deactivation: By targeting nerve fibres responsible for pain transmission, annuloplasty can reduce chronic pain at its source.
- Disc stabilisation: The heat can encourage the disc to contract and stabilise, providing further relief and reducing the chance of future damage.
Benefits of Annuloplasty
The key benefits of annuloplasty include quick recovery, effective pain relief, and a high success rate. Most patients are home and can resume normal activities without a long hospital stay.
Conditions Treated by Annuloplasty
Annuloplasty is an effective treatment for a range of disc-related issues, including:
- Degenerative disc disease: It helps stabilise the discs as it reinforces the annulus fibrosus.
- Discogenic back pain: This procedure helps reduce the pain coming from the discs and helps the spinal function.
What is Biacuplasty?
Another minimally invasive procedure, biacuplasty, uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to deactivate the nerve fibres of the treated disc and, therefore, stop the pain from being transmitted. Biacuplasty is the structural repair of the disc which directly attacks the nerves that cause pain using heat to disrupt pain signals.
How Biacuplasty Works
Biacuplasty involves several precise steps. Local anaesthesia (numbness) is administered around the damaged disc while the patient is turned face-down on the table. The specialist then uses real-time X-ray ( fluoroscopy) to guide the needle into the disc. Two thin electrodes are implanted through this needle. Finally, radiofrequency energy delivers controlled heat, which impacts and deactivates the neural pathways that transmit pain.
Benefits of Biacuplasty
Biacuplasty offers several benefits, such as its minimally invasive nature. There is also quick recovery time as most patients return to normal activities within days.
Conditions Treated by Biacuplasty
Biacuplasty is typically recommended for patients suffering from:
- Degenerative disc disease: It can help worn-out discs reduce the pain they imbue.
Annuloplasty vs Biacuplasty: A Comparison
Feature | Annuloplasty | Biacuplasty |
---|---|---|
Target Area | Annulus fibrosus (disc’s outer layer) | Nerve fibres within the damaged disc |
Method | Heat to repair disc structure and deactivate nerves | Radiofrequency energy disrupts pain signals |
Conditions Treated | Herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, discogenic back pain, disc protrusion/bulge | Herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, facet joint syndrome, spinal arthritis |
Recovery Time | Fast recovery, outpatient procedure | Fast recovery, outpatient procedure |
Success Rate | Up to 90% success rate in pain reduction | Long-lasting relief for many patients |
Which Treatment is Right for You?
Your disc-related pain determines the choice between annuloplasty and biacuplasty. The annuloplasty procedure works best if you have pain from structural abnormalities within the disc, like herniation or degeneration.
However, if your pain results primarily from disc bulges or degenerative causes injuring the nerve, the pain relief derived from biacuplasty’s nerve-directed approach would be better.
Considerations for Choosing a Treatment
- Type of Pain: Biacuplasty may give you more targeted relief if your pain is primarily nerve-related. Annuloplasty may suit your pain better if it’s over-disc damage or instability.
- Severity of Condition: For more severe structural issues, annuloplasty can provide stabilisation. Biacuplasty’s precision in deactivating nerve fibres might be more effective for nerve-centric pain.
Final Thoughts
Both annuloplasty and biacuplasty offer minimally invasive solutions for chronic back pain. Each targets different aspects of disc and nerve dysfunction. Consulting with a spine specialist is crucial to determining which procedure best suits your condition and pain symptoms for optimal results.
Total Pain Specialist Clinic provides modern treatment options and a comprehensive approach to managing chronic back pain. Schedule an appointment with us today to learn more about annuloplasty, biacuplasty, and other innovative treatments for disc-related pain relief.