Brian Kahan, DO in Baltimore: Interventional Pain Management Without Surgery-First Approach
The Kahan Center for Pain Management operates as an interventional practice specializing in non-surgical pain relief, offering procedures like joint injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation to patients across Baltimore who want to avoid or delay surgery. The practice is physician-led by Brian Kahan, DO, and functions as an independent center rather than part of a larger hospital system.
What the practice actually does
The Kahan Center focuses on interventional pain management, a medical discipline that uses image-guided injections and minimally invasive procedures to treat chronic pain in the spine, joints, and peripheral nerves. Unlike pain management practices that rely primarily on medications, or surgery centers that move toward operative intervention, this practice sits between those two points, using fluoroscopy and ultrasound to deliver treatment directly to pain sources. Patients typically arrive with conditions like cervical or lumbar radiculopathy, facet joint arthritis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and peripheral nerve entrapment.
Services and typical cost range
The practice performs epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, sacroiliac joint injections, trigger point injections, and radiofrequency ablation procedures. Nerve blocks include cervical, thoracic, and lumbar varieties. The cost of a single injection procedure generally falls between $800 and $2,500 depending on complexity and imaging requirements; verify current pricing directly with the center, as this range can shift with insurance contract changes. Radiofrequency ablation typically costs more, often $1,500 to $3,500, and may require multiple sessions. Most insurances cover these procedures when medically necessary, though prior authorization is common. The practice accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans; confirm your carrier's coverage before scheduling.
How it compares to other Baltimore pain management options
The Kahan Center's differentiation lies in its interventional focus and independence. Many primary care doctors in Baltimore refer pain patients to either hospital-based pain clinics (part of systems like Johns Hopkins or University of Maryland Medical Center) or medication-focused pain management practices that emphasize opioid stewardship or non-pharmacological behavioral approaches. Hospital-based clinics offer the advantage of on-site imaging and anesthesia support but often have longer wait times and less personalized scheduling. Independent practices like the Kahan Center typically offer faster appointment availability and a narrower clinical focus, which can mean deeper expertise in injection techniques but less access to backup surgical services if a procedure fails and operative intervention becomes necessary. Choose the Kahan Center if you want rapid access to interventional procedures with minimal bureaucracy; choose a hospital-based clinic if you have complex medical comorbidities requiring coordinated care or if you anticipate needing surgical consultation as a backup.
Who this suits and who it does not
The practice is well-suited to patients with diagnosed mechanical pain (facet arthropathy, radiculopathy from disc herniation, sacroiliac joint dysfunction) who have completed or exhausted conservative therapy (physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication) and want to try injections before considering surgery. It also serves patients already declining opioid therapy or those who have developed opioid tolerance and seek alternative modalities. The practice does not suit patients with active infections, severe coagulopathy, or allergy to contrast agents without prior discussion. It may not be ideal for patients whose pain is primarily neuropathic and diffuse (fibromyalgia, central sensitization) rather than anatomically localized, as injection procedures target specific structures and won't address system-wide dysfunction.
What the first visit involves
The initial appointment typically includes a consultation with Dr. Kahan or a pain physician, during which the provider reviews imaging (MRI, X-rays) if already completed and takes a detailed pain and medication history. A focused physical examination follows. If the provider identifies an appropriate target for injection, the first visit may include the procedure itself on the same day, or the patient may be scheduled for a separate procedure appointment depending on scheduling and whether imaging needs to be obtained at the center. Patients should bring insurance cards, photo identification, and a list of current medications including supplements. Driving after sedation is not permitted, so arrange transportation if conscious sedation is planned.
Hours, location, and parking
The practice is located in Baltimore; verify the specific address and current hours by calling ahead, as these details change. Street parking and dedicated lot availability vary by location. The center accommodates most major insurance plans and offers same-day or next-day appointments more frequently than hospital-based competitors, a practical advantage for working patients who cannot wait weeks for relief.
The Kahan Center deserves inclusion in a Baltimore health guide because it fills a specific clinical niche, offering Baltimore residents rapid access to image-guided injection therapy without the scheduling delays of hospital systems or the medication-centric model of traditional pain clinics.
