Spinal cord injury and damage to the nerves and nerve routes that extend to the pelvis typically cause permanent changes in feeling, motion and other functions below the injury.

Medical advances are moving in the direction of spinal cord injury repair. For now, treatments and rehabilitation can allow many people with spinal cord injuries to live productively and independently.

In the days or weeks following a spinal cord injury, swelling decreases, and some patients regain some movement and feeling. Many recent advances in spinal cord injury treatment have revolved around reducing swelling at the time of the injury. It is rare for anyone with a spinal cord injury to recover all function.

The combined team of orthopedic spine and neuroscience specialists at Norton Leatherman spine and therapists at Norton Neurosciences & Spine Rehabilitation Center provides comprehensive care.

Spinal Cord Injury Research

The Norton Leatherman Spine team is respected around the world for expertise in caring for acute cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine fractures and spinal cord damage caused by auto accidents, sports, falls and other trauma.

Our surgical staff includes members of the University of Louisville School of Medicine Department of Orthopedic Surgery, where they have served for over three decades as the primary orthopedic spine trauma surgeons. As part of a Level I trauma team, we have the expertise to treat all types of acute and chronic spine trauma with the most modern techniques.

Research is a cornerstone of modern spinal trauma treatment techniques. Because our specialists conduct spine trauma research and present their findings in gatherings of experts and peer-reviewed medical journals, patients benefit from the latest advancements and discoveries.

Our specialists are committed to advancing medical science to provide superior outcomes for trauma patients and to restore maximum function following severe traumatic spinal injuries.

Depending on the severity and type of injury, our specialists will arrange for transfer to our centers to discuss options ranging from rehabilitation to bracing to restorative spinal surgery.

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Norton Neurosciences & Spine Rehabilitation Center specializes in helping you maintain and strengthen existing muscle function, regain fine motor skills and learn new ways to accomplish day-to-day tasks.

Rehabilitation team members may include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, rehabilitation nurse, rehabilitation psychologist, social worker, dietitian and a physical medicine physician (physiatrist).

Our rehab specialists will help you understand how to prevent complications from your spinal cord injury and help you increase your quality of life and independence. You may learn new ways to live on your own using new skills or equipment.

An International Reputation for Excellence

The Norton Leatherman Spine surgeons are leaders in treatment of spinal injuries. We use the most up-to-date surgical techniques and technology to restore and repair the spine while preserving existing neurological function. We also have been a leader in the development of computer-assisted surgery, offering:

• Greater precision around critical structures of the spine when treating spinal cord injuries
• Robotics and neuromonitoring techniques for the spinal cord and nerves during surgery

We also have highly specialized team members, including general surgeons who specialize in polytrauma patients, nurse practitioners, operating room nurses, surgical technologists and floor nurses who are experienced in caring for spinal cord trauma patients.

Whether treated at Norton Leatherman Spine, Norton Children’s Hospital, Norton Hospital or the UofL Hospital Trauma Center by our experienced trauma staff, our patients have the benefit of a physicians team that has treated thousands of adults and children from around the region with highly specialized care.

We have the commitment and experience to give you a pinpoint diagnosis and treat your spinal cord injury with some of the most advanced techniques so you can get back to living your life.

Spine Care From World-renowned Specialists

Norton Leatherman Spine is a world-renowned program delivering groundbreaking care and treatment for back, neck and spine conditions and procedures.

• Nationally recognized spine surgery fellowship program with over 150 trained fellows
• First in the world to perform robotic spine surgery using the Medtronic Mazor X Stealth Edition, demonstrating leadership in surgical innovations
• First health system in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence by DNV
• First in the state of Kentucky to use the EOS Imaging system, a high-resolution image system with 50% to 85% less radiation exposure than traditional X-rays and CT scans
• More than 4,000 surgeries performed each year
• Recognized as a national benchmark for patient-reported outcome measures against spine surgeons across the nation, ensuring high-quality, data-driven care
• A team of 45 highly regarded specialists, including orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and pain management specialists
• Internationally recognized leaders in clinical research of spinal disease, injury and deformity, opioid management, spine surgical innovations, scoliosis and more
• Specialists who have served in senior positions in the Scoliosis Research Society, the prestigious organization for scoliosis surgeons around the world
• Kenton D. Leatherman, M.D., the program namesake, was the first doctor in Kentucky to repair scoliosis surgically