Euphemism for RF ablation?

[Ligament]

My current pitch is:

"I'll use radio waves to melt a small section of the nerve transmitting your pain."

In place of "melt" i've experimented with burn/fry/cook/cut/eliminate/ablate/coagulate.

I can't say "melt" is the best, but seems to work best when I say it.

Do you guys have any better ways to pitch this to the patient in a benign fashion?

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[Ducttape]

I "knock out" the nerve with radiofrequency waves. (i use my hands to symbolize the apostrophes)

 

[emd123]

I "Zap" it. Sounds better than "burning" something.

 

[BobBarker]

Stun

 

[lobelsteve]

Saute, flambe, burn, cook. Cauterize. Sounds medical.

175-180F. Not exactly broiling.

 

[Jcm800]

burn or cauterize... sometimes i say KILL, PERMANENTLY DEADEN, DESTROY, MAIM, ANNIHILATE.

 

[Aether2000]

Heat the nerve with the same amount of wattage as a nightlight

 

[powermd]

Deactivate!

 

[emd123]

Nuke!

 

[joshmir]

DESENSITIZE

but i like deactivate

I find it so fascinating how many people are totally OK with the phrase "burning the nerve"

 

[SSdoc33]

It doesn't matter what I say, somehow the patients are always convinced I'm using lasers.

 

[Ligament]

"PERMANENTLY DEADEN" sounds good!

heat the nerve with the Same wattage as a night light sounds good!


"permanently turn off" might be best...???

 

[facetguy]

"PERMANENTLY DEADEN" sounds good!

heat the nerve with the Same wattage as a night light sounds good!


"permanently turn off" might be best...???

Is it permanent?

 

[SSdoc33]

Is it permanent?

No.

 

[ampaphb]

I have found that, whatever I say, they come back having been told by others that the nerve will be burned. I find it easier to tell them that that is a word they will hear, but then reassure them that there will be no flames involved

I tend to describe it as "buzz" the nerve

 

[Tenesma]

I tell them I ablate the nerve - when they ask what that means, I explain that I cauterize the nerve - then they ask what that means, I explain that I zap the nerve - then they ask what that means, I explain that I burn the nerve...

at which point they smile, and say good - "I want that "sucker" burned."

 

[clubdeac]

I tell them I ablate the nerve - when they ask what that means, I explain that I cauterize the nerve - then they ask what that means, I explain that I zap the nerve - then they ask what that means, I explain that I burn the nerve...

at which point they smile, and say good - "I want that "sucker" burned."

Many of my patients also say, "Good, burn the crap outta that sucker!" Then again, they are all vets so take that for what it's worth

 

[Jcm800]

no matter what you say, all they hear is "you are going to put a knife into my spinal cord and burn a hole into it"

 

[nvrsumr]

Ive tried microwave out a few times rather than burn.