Patients who have been pregnant and especially those who had complicated pregnancies are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, but the condition typically arises 10 or 15 years after the pregnancy. Patients are screened months after their pregnancy for cardiovascular disease, but as the patient ages, pregnancy is a very important part of their medical…
The patient A 67-year-old woman with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema presented with a spiculated right upper-lobe nodule that was previously 8 millimeters in size on CT scan of the lung. In six months, it had increased in size to 1.1 centimeters. The challenge The lung nodule was small,…
Spine surgeries have come a long way from the large open procedures that were the standard of care for many years. A wide range of minimally invasive surgeries are now possible for patients, with excellent results and faster recovery. Our goal with minimally invasive surgery is to decrease soft-tissue disruption yet accomplish the same results…
Until recently, opioids have been the analgesic of choice for managing back pain before and after surgery. Now we are in the midst of an opioid crisis and know all too well the many drawbacks of opioids. At Norton Leatherman Spine, we take seriously our role in reducing this public health catastrophe. We are working…
Osteoporosis in the aging population is now estimated to affect over 10 million people and significantly affects postmenopausal women, although the condition can occur in other groups. There are many predisposing factors, including a family history (genetics), race, smoking, alcohol abuse, chronic illness, cancer, deficient vitamin D3 levels and living a sedentary lifestyle. The condition…
Difficulty with standing balance is a frequent clinical issue with multiple possible etiologies. It may be seen with normal aging or common pathologies such as diabetic neuropathy. In patients with cervical degenerative disease, progressive standing and gait imbalance can be an indication of cervical spinal cord dysfunction, termed cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). As opposed to…
Women in their 40s and 50s who are starting to experience symptoms of menopause and perimenopause frequently don’t know what to expect, and they are often reticent about bringing up symptoms during visits with their primary care providers. By asking questions and explaining symptoms, providers can normalize symptoms of menopause and perimenopause and put patients…
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its lung cancer screening guidelines in 2021 to include younger patients and those who smoked less than the previous recommendation. The current USPSTF lung cancer screening guidelines are for adults between ages 50 and 80 who have a 20-pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within…
Laura R. Feder, D.O. Urgent Care Sarah E. Lainhart, M.D. Family Medicine Shawn C. McCarty, M.D. Emergency Medicine Monica H. Vetter, M.D. Gynecologic Oncology Amy K. Wise, M.D. Colon and Rectal Surgery Carter Hahn, PA-C Cardiology Gretchen E. Miller Carolan, APRN Infectious Diseases Morgan D. Hack, APRN Medical Oncology Carly E. Kessinger, APRN Family Medicine…
Steven J. Radtke, M.D., FACOG, FMIGS, specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and has joined Norton Urogynecology Center. He earned his medical degree from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Mexico and completed his OB/GYN residency at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield. Dr. Radtke completed a fellowship in minimally…
The initial evaluation for trigeminal neuralgia is typically in primary care, but patients frequently also present to dental and ear, nose and throat settings, according to Brian M. Plato, D.O., a neurologist and headache specialist with Norton Neuroscience Institute. The uncommon condition is characterized by facial pain within the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Abigail…
As a medical oncologist at Norton Cancer Institute, I’ve seen remarkable advances in how we treat lung cancer. Lung cancers caught early can now often be successfully treated. Unfortunately, Kentucky has a massive lung cancer problem. We have the highest rate of lung cancer in the nation, and we rank 45th among the 49 states…