By Dr. Matt Fischer, MD, Medical Director, ThedaCare Pain Management
Pain is the messenger that brings people to us. We listen carefully and respond thoughtfully.
Dr. Matt Fischer, Medical Director, ThedaCare Pain Management
I’m a doctor who specializes in pain medicine at the new ThedaCare Medical Center-Orthopedic, Spine and Pain in Appleton. For years, ThedaCare pain specialists have worked side by side with our colleagues in non-operative sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. We’re the team that has long been known as ThedaCare Orthopedic Care. What’s exciting for our pain team is that we now also work closely with the neurosurgeons of Neuroscience Group, as they practice with us at our new medical center.
Pain is the primary musculoskeletal messenger.
Pain can signal an acute problem with our muscles, bones, or nerves. We can identify and address this through minimally invasive interventions, physical therapy, or surgery.
Pain also affects people’s lives while they prepare themselves for surgery. This includes goals like losing weight or getting a handle on other health problems.
In some situations, pain can linger after surgery or rehab and affect a person’s outlook on life. We accompany patients on the journey and help them live their unique, best lives.
People have an understandable expectation of pain relief.
My colleagues and I are dedicated to helping them with minimally invasive treatment options for pain. These treatments can be an alternative to — or preparation for — surgery. They include:
- Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild®) is a major advance for people with moderate to severe spinal stenosis. The condition causes a narrowing of the spaces within the spine. This can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. It used to require ongoing spinal injections and/or surgery. The mild® procedure requires only a 3-millimeter incision.
- Vertiflex™ is a minimally invasive solution for people who suffer leg and back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis.
- When spinal surgery is necessary, we expedite consultations with our trusted colleagues, the spinal surgeons of Neuroscience Group.
- Neuromodulation offers spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and dorsal root ganglion stimulation as alternatives to spine surgery and/or other treatments for chronic pain.
- Radiofrequency ablation uses heat energy to relieve pain from arthritis in the spine, knees, hips and shoulders.
- Mind-body therapies provide patients with coping strategies and helps them stick to their treatment plans.
I’m proud of our team’s focus on the most appropriate and timely care for our patients. We opt for innovative, minimally invasive options when we can. We can also now fast-track consultations with our colleagues in spine surgery more easily than ever. Pain is the messenger that brings people to us. We listen carefully and respond thoughtfully.
