Gateway Veteran : You mention something called “Radio Frequency Ablation” What is this? Dr. Meacham: Radio Frequency Ablation (also called RF Ablation) involves using small needles to “burn” nerves that are transmitting pain. But we’re not actually burning them: it’s an electrical signal that stuns the nerves into not transmitting the pain. I love talking about the science behind all of what we do and thinking of new ways we might better help our chronic pain patients. There’s so much more for us to learn and do as a field. Gateway Veteran : I’ve got a Pain Management appointment with you. What can I expect? Dr. Meacham : Usually by the time you’re seeing me, you’ve also seen one of my colleagues who has discussed procedures both with you and with me, or I have met and talked with you about your recommended chronic pain treatment options, including procedures. Either way, we base our pain management procedure recommendations on your symptoms, imaging, and what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past. When you meet me for any treatments or proce - dures, we’ll have time to go over any final questions, and then you and I get to focus on getting the procedure done as efficiently and comfortably as possible, alongside my team of excellent nurses and radiology technicians. Gateway Veteran : What should I bring with me to my appointment? Dr. Meacham : For our Veterans in pain, just getting to the appointment can be hard, and is more than enough for us! We’ll work with you on anything else we need, which is most usually records from outside sources. Bringing those with you to the appointment helps us help you faster, but don't fret if you can't get these records right away as there are other options available. Gateway Veteran: Anything else you would like us to know? Dr. Meacham : If you’re a Veteran in pain, the best way to connect with our services is through your primary care provider. Don’t suffer in silence. Please reach out to them, and we will be very glad to work with you to meet your goals.
"Here in Interventional Pain Management, I will do my utmost to cater treatments to you in-house or connect you with a community provider. I'm adding new options in-house regularly, so what I offer here will grow over time. We want our Veterans to be as free from chronic pain as possible. " -Kate Meacham, MD, PhD.
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