Spine Archives - Norton Healthcare Provider

Assessing neck injuries in athletes

Neck injuries are common among athletes. When assessing the nature of a neck injury, valuable diagnostic tools include considering any neurologic component and comparing the initial symptoms with the current symptoms, according to Jeffrey L. […]

Minimally invasive techniques have limitations in spinal deformity correction

As health care providers, it’s essential to stay aware of the evolving surgical techniques and technologies in spine surgery. In a presentation by John R. Dimar II, M.D., spine surgeon with Norton Leatherman Spine, several […]

Reducing risk of robot-assisted sacroiliac joint fusion complications

Robot-assisted sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion surgery can, in about 1% of cases, injure the superior gluteal artery (SGA), but preoperative imaging, precise robot-assisted screw insertion and soft tissue protection can mitigate risks, according to a […]

Optimizing general health and well-being through ‘prehab’ can improve surgical outcomes

Prehabilitation, or “prehab,” refers to optimizing general health and well-being before surgery to improve surgical outcomes. Prehab takes a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on strength and aerobic exercises, nutrition, smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, and psychological factors […]

Advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery

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 [...]

Reducing opioid use before and after spine surgery

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 [...]

Managing osteoporosis and spine surgery

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 [...]

Improving surgical decision-making for cervical spine patients

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 [...]

Putting patients on the fast track to better blood sugar control before surgery

Studies have shown patients with diabetes who have poorly controlled blood sugar are more likely to have more adverse outcomes after elective surgery. At the same time, patients do not want to wait for spine […]

Shawn W. Adams, M.D., joins Norton Leatherman Spine

After completing a pair of spinal fellowships in the latest surgical techniques and technologies, Shawn W. Adams, M.D., has joined Norton Leatherman Spine and Norton Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Adams’ fellowships covered complex adult spine, deformity [...]

Norton Healthcare receives first Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence designation in country from DNV

Norton Healthcare has been named the first Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence in the country by DNV, a national accrediting body. This designation is given to organizations that demonstrate excellence in diagnostic services, […]

Considering the whole patient before spinal surgery

Even though I’m a neurosurgeon specializing in spine, I spend a lot of time talking to my patients about issues other than their backs. Rarely do I see back pain in isolation. Before they undergo […]

Category: Spine