Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by deficiency of the dystrophin protein. In the absence of dystrophin, skeletal muscle fibers rupture and atrophy over time leading to progressive weakness, respiratory muscle weakness and cardiomyopathy. Loss of ambulation typically occurs early in the first decade of life without treatment. Orthopedic treatments may…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not consider opioids a first-line therapy. CDC opioid prescribing guidelines favor nonopioid therapies for chronic pain outside of active cancer, palliative care and end-of-life care. These include acetaminophen or ibuprofen, physical therapy, exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Clinicians should consider opioids only when the benefits for…
Children who are behind their peers in motor skills, speech, listening, understanding or social development are developmentally delayed, a common condition affecting 15% to 20% of children nationally. “It’s important to identify and screen for these children, because we clearly know that earlier recognition and earlier intervention leads to significantly greater gains later in life…
The patient A 29-year-old woman with no major medical issues awoke with blurry vision. As the day went on, she began to see double. She looked in the mirror and saw that one of her eyes was pointing in the wrong direction. She also noted tingling across her body and severe fatigue. An immediate evaluation…
Basel M. Altoos, M.D., a board-certified radiation oncologist, has joined Norton Cancer Institute and will see patients downtown and at King’s Daughters’ Health in Madison, Indiana. Refer a patient To refer a patient to Norton Cancer Institute, visit Norton EpicLink and choose EpicLink referral to Oncology. Refer online Call (888) 4-U-Norton / (888) 486-6786 Dr….
The patient A woman presented to Norton Audubon Hospital with shortness of breath and dizziness and was noted to be in new-onset atrial fibrillation (A-fib). She underwent immediate cardioversion but had recurrent A-fib and then was placed on flecainide with a repeat successful cardioversion. Her echocardiogram showed normal left ventricular function. The providers Kent E….
Emily K. Camp, M.D. Emily K. Camp, M.D. Internal Medicine Terrence Hadley, M.D. Hematology Oncology Julio Ramirez, M.D. Infectious Disease Christopher M. Moser, D.O. Internal Medicine Kristina R. Trubey, D.O. Internal Medicine Morgan Frierson, PA-C Pulmonology Lauren Hamilton, PA-C Orthopedic Surgery Michael Hughes, PA-C Orthopedic Surgery Caitlyn Morales, PA-C Hospital Medicine Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP,…
Precisely placed phenol injections can relieve spasticity by inducing axon necrosis, essentially destroying the nerve causing the spasticity. As a focal treatment, the phenol needs to be injected at the motor points of the right muscles. Targeting only the motor neve is very important, otherwise the patient could have sensory issues from the denaturation, according…
Signs of common bleeding disorders in children can take many forms from birth through adolescence, according to Ashok B. Raj, M.D., pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. A newborn bleeding from the umbilical stump, an infant who’s just starting to walk having a painfully swollen joint after…
In recent years, emergency departments have changed how they assess three common pediatric issues: febrile neonates, abdominal pain and bronchiolitis. Reflecting the evolving nature of evaluating patients, these new algorithms seek to reduce interventional risk, Kerry S. Caperell, M.D., MBA, pediatric emergency medicine physician with Norton Children’s Emergency Medicine, affiliated with the UofL School of…
Besides exercise, diet and lifestyle choices, bone health is of critical importance as we age. A house is only as strong as its foundation, and bones are the body’s foundation. People reach peak bone density in their 30s, then bone loss begins to exceed the rate of bone formation. While you can’t regain full bone…
New evidence-based guidelines covering five key perioperative spine assessments were issued recently by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The guidelines, published in the medical journal Neurosurgery, provide insight on the following: Preoperative osteoporosis assessment Preoperative nutritional assessment Preoperative pulmonary evaluation and optimization Preoperative opioid evaluation Preoperative surgical risk assessment A team of eight physicians from…