John W. McConnell, M.D., recently joined Norton Pulmonary Specialists, but he has been a leading pulmonologist in Louisville for three decades, known for his work with pulmonary hypertension. Dr. McConnell is medical director of the Norton Healthcare Pulmonary Hypertension Program, which regularly participates in clinical trials that give patients access to the latest treatments for…
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have the potential to hasten recovery from lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative spine conditions, with reduced in-hospital opioid consumption and improved postoperative pain scores, according to a study published recently in Global Spine Journal. ERAS, which includes preoperative counseling, nutritional and medical optimization, standardized pain management and anesthesia, and…
A bone health program to prevent fractures, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for overuse injuries, joint arthritis and other tendon and ligament injuries are among the nonsurgical interventions offered by Norton Orthopedic Institute. Platelet rich plasma therapy Patients with orthopedic injuries such as tennis elbow or chronic joint arthritis often improve with platelet-rich plasma (PRP)…
Based on the data so far, the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for COVID-19 are considered safe for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and safe to use while on disease-modifying therapies, according to Geeta A. Ganesh, M.D., a Norton Neuroscience Institute neurologist who specializes in MS care. Coordinating the vaccine with some MS medications…
Joyce Achenjang, M.D. Hospital Medicine Jason L. Crowell, M.D. Neurology Elsa S. Kuhl, M.D. Diagnostic Radiology Laith J. Sweis, M.D. Family Medicine Kaitlyn Tinius, APRN Pulmonology Michael Bailey, PA-C Pulmonology Kelley Morris, APRN Family Medicine
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is first in the area to adopt the Lux-DX insertable cardiac monitor technology, which reduces the patient’s need for in-person monitoring. Arrhythmia patients of the institute have begun receiving the Lux-Dx monitor, which allows for wireless transmission of clearer and more reliable signals to the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute…
Specialists at Norton Orthopedic Institute and Norton Cancer Institute work together in a team approach for treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors. As an orthopedic oncologist, I work closely with medical and radiation oncologists, musculoskeletal radiologists, and surgical pathologists to determine the best course of treatment for each patient. Timing of the various treatments…
Diagnosing dementia in primary care and other practices starts with evidence of cognitive decline from a previous level of performance in one or more cognitive domains, according to Rachel N. Hart, D.O., a geriatric medicine specialist at Norton Neuroscience Institute. “Dementia really needs to have cognitive impairment that leads to a functional impairment or we…
When patients are considering joint replacement surgery, we look at several important benchmarks to see if the patient is ready. The first consideration is pain. Is the pain they’re experiencing in their knee intermittent, occurring only during strenuous activity, or is it constant and interfering with their daily lives? If it’s only intermittent, the patient…
Those who experience migraine know the pain. It’s not sinuses or “just a normal headache.” But do they know all of the migraine treatments that are available? The numbers bear it out: Migraine is a common condition and not centered in Louisville or Southern Indiana. More than 47 million Americans live with migraine, over 15%…
Bryan Davis, Psy.D., has joined the Norton Neuroscience Institute, providing psychological care to patients with neurological disorders. Dr. Davis, a licensed clinical psychologist, completed his clinical health psychology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis in Ohio. At the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Davis integrated behavioral medicine as part of the interdisciplinary team…
Deciding when to prescribe naloxone (Narcan), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, presents unique challenges. We must consider how these challenges can lead to deteriorating mental health and increased substance use, and therefore a higher risk of death by suicide or overdose. As stewards of our patients’ health, we seek to minimize these risks. It is…