Injury and Trauma, Orthopedics

Open leg fractures like Tiger Woods’ can take months to heal

A broken leg like that suffered by Tiger Woods in his recent automobile crash can take several months to heal — and possibly longer since the compound fracture was in the lower leg and involved both the tibia and fibula as well as serious ankle injuries. The lower leg, especially with multiple bones affected, can…

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COVID Vaccine, COVID19

Vaccine brings hope for health care professionals

If you’re skeptical about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, here is something that might change your mind: It’s working. Health care employees, the first group in Kentucky to receive the vaccine, are starting to see the benefits. “Since we’ve gone through the vaccination process, we only have small numbers of employees – running less than 10…

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Ortho - Hip, Ortho - Knee, Orthopedics

Spouses and partners are beneficiaries of knee and hip replacements too, study finds

You can expect to get around better with less pain after hip or knee replacement surgery, but your partner also can discover a better quality of life, according to a recent study. Your partner likely has taken on many of the duties of caregiver as your arthritic knee or hip became gradually more debilitating. The…

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Ortho - Knee, Orthopedics

Getting a new knee doesn’t come with the costly hospital stay it used to

Knee replacement costs have come down in recent years as orthopedic surgeons develop more sophisticated techniques and use increasingly precise tools that can allow patients to go home the same day as their surgery. A knee replacement used to require several nights in the hospital while a patient was recovering. Minimally invasive procedures have advanced…

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Cancer, Colon Cancer, Gastroenterology, Prevention and Wellness

African Americans at higher risk for colorectal cancers, but screenings lag

According to the American Cancer Society, African Americans have the highest rate of death and the shortest rate of survival for colorectal cancer. In fact, African Americans are 40% more likely than other groups to die from colon cancers, and 20% more likely to get colon cancer in general. When detected early with proper screening,…

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Maternal-Fetal Medicine, New Parent, Obstetrics, Postpartum Care

Unexpected health issues after pregnancy can have long-term consequences

The “fourth trimester” of pregnancy — those months after childbirth — is a time to adjust to being a mom and an opportunity to check on your recovery from what had been an intense and challenging nine months for your body. Monitoring your health during this period is important because pregnancy can increase your risk…

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Cancer, COVID19

Cancer in the time of COVID-19: Checking your emotions

Pandemics have an emotional impact on society and individuals alike. Whether through personal experience, news coverage or talking with others, we know how COVID-19 has affected our lives. The death toll, financial hardship, job loss, anxiety and isolation have become a daily thread of conversation and experience. Avoiding exposure to the coronavirus is especially critical…

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COVID19, Migraine and Headaches, Neurosciences

After recovering from COVID-19, some get persistent, debilitating headaches

Headaches after recovering from COVID-19 can be persistent for some patients, and neurologists are finding some effective ways to address the debilitating pain that can linger. “Imagine a 24/7 headache for a period of three months or longer,” said Brian M. Plato, D.O., neurologist and headache specialist with Norton Neuroscience Institute. “We’re seeing a lot of…

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COVID Vaccine, COVID19

Why you need to keep protecting others after your COVID-19 vaccine

Once you have your initial and booster COVID-19 vaccinations, you still need to wear a mask, practice social distancing and keep your hands clean. The vaccine helps protects you from developing COVID-19, but you still can spread it to others. Vaccinations can help prevent illness and limit the coronavirus’ ability to spread in your system….

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Cancer

Evolving cancer care in an evolving world

While the world was facing a global pandemic and many countries, including our own, were dealing with political and social divisions, care providers and researchers like those at the Norton Cancer Institute were continuing their work. Despite the demands that came with the coronavirus, Joseph M. Flynn, D.O., MPH, FACP, tells us that he and…

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COVID19, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

New COVID-19 treatment helps patient recover and stay out of hospital

Specialized COVID-19 antibody treatments were nothing new to Jackie Bourke, R.N., CCRC, a clinical research nurse working on infectious diseases studies. She knows firsthand how quickly COVID-19 can turn serious for some patients and had seen the investigational treatment work. When she got the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, she was ready. Jackie tested positive on…

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Cardiology, Heart, Norton Now

There are no warning signs of high blood pressure

The only reliable sign of high blood pressure is the data gathered by a blood pressure cuff. There are rarely outward symptoms of high blood pressure, unless you are severely ill and in need of emergency treatment. That is why it is called a “silent killer.” Occasional headaches, nosebleeds, blood spots in the whites of…

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