From Traditional Healing to Modern Pain Medicine: A Doctor's Journey | Q&A Series

Getting to Know Dr. Maxime Gedeon, MD: Advanced Pain Management Specialist

Q: What inspired you to become a pain management specialist?

A: My grandmother was not an educated woman, but she had a deep connection with nature from which she drew tremendous knowledge about homemade herbal medicine. I grew up in a small city and used to observe her prepare and administer free topical ointments to patients in the community who chose to consult with her for pain and skin conditions before heading to the dispensary for treatments if necessary. The level of appreciation on the faces of the treated people was so profound that it convinced me to consider a career as a medical doctor treating patients in pain.

Q: What current advances in pain management most excite you?

A: I am particularly excited about the increased use of Ultrasound Guidance when performing certain interventional diagnostic and therapeutic pain management procedures. Fluoroscopic guidance provides great anatomical landmarks and bone visualization. With adherence to radiation safety protocols and careful procedural techniques, radiation exposure is monitored to stay within acceptable parameters ; however, it is still a concern. In addition, fluoroscopic guidance does not offer any view of soft tissue and the needle used during the procedure can potentially puncture a nerve or a blood vessel. Ultrasound guidance eliminates radiation exposure and minimizes the risk of penetrating a nerve, a blood vessel, or a tendon with the needle because of the direct visualization of those structures.

Q: How do you approach medication management for your patients?

A: I initiate medication management when conservative treatments such as physical therapy fail to produce adequate results. I thoroughly review the patient's past medical history, past surgical history, diagnostic studies, the list of current medications and previously tried medications, and the list of medication allergies, following which I perform a physical examination. Once I arrive at a diagnosis, I consider medication management in a stepped care approach as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy. All treatment options are discussed with the patient. I have clear communication with the patient about medication benefits, risks, and probable length of therapy. I educate the patient on the goals of the therapy which include pain control, increased function, and improved quality of life. If the goals are not met, the dosage of the same medication will be increased or other medications initiated as tolerated.

Q: What's your philosophy on doctor-patient relationships?

A: I believe that a patient-doctor relationship should be built on mutual respect and trust where open communication, confidentiality, and personal boundaries are maintained. The doctor should explain medical conditions to the patient in clear terms that the patient can understand. The doctor should listen attentively to the patient without judgment, and they should both respect each other's time. The doctor should encourage the patient to play an active role in their care, and they should collaborate on arriving at decision-making with regard to treatment options. I support patient-centered care where the preferences and needs of the patient are taken into consideration in all healthcare decisions and each treatment plan individualized. This healthy partnership between the doctor and the patient increases patient satisfaction and results in better treatment outcomes.

Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your practice?

A: Chronic pain presents a challenge for the patient who witnesses a deterioration in their quality of life, level of function, sleep pattern, and mood. I listen to their stories with compassion. What I enjoy the most is after I treat them, a high percentage reports returning close to their normal life by experiencing less pain. I am sure that my grandmother would have been proud of me to follow in her footsteps and improve the lives of many in my local community.

Q: What role do you see AI playing in pain management's future?

A: While they are effective in treating pain, opioid medications are unfortunately linked to various serious side effects or complications such as abuse, physical dependence, tolerance, addiction, overdose death, and diversion. I am excited about the positive role that Artificial Intelligence will play in the field of Interventional Pain management. AI will help develop non-opioid medication that will treat pain by targeting specific pain-related receptors such as voltage-gated sodium channels as opposed to the opioid mu receptors. AI will also help with the development of personalized pain management plans by identifying the most effective opioid or non-opioid medication that will cause the least side effects for each patient.

Q: What conditions do you specialize in treating?

A: Conditions that I specialize in include:

• Neck, Mid back, and Low Back Pain
• Spinal stenosis
• Herniated disc
• Facet Syndrome
• SI joint dysfunction
• Post-laminectomy Syndrome
• Joint pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
• Occipital Neuralgia
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Cervicogenic headache
• Osteoarthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis

Q: What procedures do you commonly perform?

A: Procedures that I commonly perform include:

• Epidural Injections
• Steroid injections
• SI joint injections
• Peripheral joint injections
• Peripheral Nerve blocks
• Facet Medial Branch blocks
• Radiofrequency Neurotomy
• Trigger Point injections
• Sympathetic nerve blocks
• Spinal Cord Stimulation
• Occipital Nerve blocks

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of your medical practice?

A: I have several hobbies, but the things that I enjoy the most include hiking on a trail to be close to nature, playing pickleball, reading books on spirituality, and spending quality time with my wife and children.

Q: If you weren't a doctor, what career would you have pursued?

A: My grandmother had such a great influence on me that I always saw myself as a doctor. If I was not a doctor, I would probably pursue a career as a professional soccer player or a high school biology teacher.

Living with chronic pain? Let's work together to develop a personalized treatment plan that gets you back to enjoying life. Contact our office at 352.751.6582 to schedule a consultation.