Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that can progress differently in different patients, present a wide variety of symptoms and affect different parts of the body. It’s a complex disease that requires special skill, training and experience to diagnose and treat.

Effective treatment to prevent disability from a neuroimmunology condition requires a comprehensive approach. Our treatment and care options aim to reduce MS attacks or relapse and speed recovery, ease symptoms, improve your ability to function and prevent falls, and care for emotional health.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society designated Norton Neuroscience Institute Hussung Family Multiple Sclerosis Center a Center for Comprehensive MS Care. The designation recognizes the MS center’s commitment to providing exceptional multidisciplinary treatment using a full array of medical, nursing, mental health, rehabilitation and social services.

Various specialists are available in the same location to coordinate care and make it easier for patients to schedule multiple appointments with one visit.

The Norton Neuroscience Institute board-certified neurologists are fellowship trained in MS and neuroimmunology, and are leaders in their field. This highly specialized branch of neurology addresses the complex ways the body can turn on and attack otherwise healthy nerves. These specialists are committed to helping MS patients live their best lives with the latest diagnostic tools and treatments.

A robust clinical trial program means Norton Neuroscience Institute physicians are often some of the most experienced providers with newly approved treatments and can provide patients early access to experimental therapies.

MS Symptoms

MS is an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system is under attack by your own body. In the case of MS, the nerves and the coating of myelin that protects nerves are damaged. Nerve pain, numbness or weakness often can be the result.

MS symptoms can vary widely from patient to patient and from attack to attack. No patient has the exact same symptoms as another, and symptoms change over time. Symptom management with medication, rehabilitation and other strategies is a key part of MS treatment.

Optic Neuritis

A common and very treatable MS symptom, this blurred vision and loss of color vision is the result of inflammation of the optic nerve. Steroids are often used to help accelerate recovery from optic neuritis.

Additional symptoms include vertigo, bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, constipation, changes in high-level cognition, and depression and other mood disorders.

Fatigue

One of the most common MS symptoms, fatigue affects about 8 in 10 MS patients. It is one of the primary reasons MS patients leave their jobs prematurely.

Numbness or Tingling

Loss of feeling or a pins and needles sensation is another of the most common MS symptoms. It can be one of the first symptoms, affecting your ability to walk with confidence or use your hands to write, fasten buttons or hold objects.

Dysesthesia (MS Hug)

A feeling that your torso is being squeezed — similar to a blood pressure cuff — can range from merely annoying to so painful it might be mistaken for a heart attack. It’s often a first symptom of MS or a relapse.

Difficulty Walking

As a common mobility concern with MS, difficulty walking, or gait difficulties, can be a result of muscle tightness or spasticity, difficulty with balance that leads to swaying, severe numbness in the feet that makes it difficult to feel the floor, and weakness in the legs. Falls are common with MS patients.

Spasticity

Muscle spasms, tightness and pain of spasticity is most common in the legs, but can affect any extremity, joints and lower back.

MS Infusion Treatment Centers

A broad variety of treatments, including medications, are available to treat MS and manage the symptoms. Some of these medications are most effectively delivered via infusion — slowly added directly into your bloodstream — and can reduce relapse rates while extending remission between flare-ups.

With three locations, our infusion centers provide easy access to same-day care in most cases. Our experienced team of specialty-certified nurses and on-site pharmacist work together to provide care tailored to each patient.

• IV therapy
• Blood product administration
• IM/SQ injections (intramuscular and subcutaneous)
• Biotherapy administration

Care That’s Focused on You

It’s part of Norton Neuroscience Institute’s goal to care for the whole person, not just the condition.

• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers offer ways to improve your access to care, provide valuable information on managing your disease and address your quality of life issues. The Norton Healthcare Foundation funds this important service, so patients don’t need to pay.
• Dedicated patient navigators provide assistance securing transportation to and from Norton Healthcare facilities, schedule follow-up appointments, coordinate prescription assistance, create customized diet plans and provide guidance on disability benefits, housing, financial and employment concerns and more.
• Patients can access support groups, exercise classes and other educational events to connect with others and learn how to make the most of life while managing a neurological condition. 
• Access an on-demand video library of educational content across a variety of condition related topics is available.
• We want to help prevent illness. Get help quitting smoking and learn the signs of stroke.
• Communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more anytime from a computer or mobile device with a free MyNortonChart account.

A Louisville Leader in Neurological Care

More patients from Louisville and Southern Indiana seek their neurology and neurosurgery care from Norton Neuroscience Institute’s nationally recognized specialists than any other providers in the area.

Your Norton Neuroscience Institute medical provider has the expertise, experience, diagnostic tools and sophisticated treatments to provide care tailored to your needs.

• More than 75 medical, surgical and research specialists are dedicated to providing innovative care to those with brain, spine and nervous system conditions.
• Advanced, minimally invasive neurosurgery equipment can speed your recovery and minimize pain.
• Multidisciplinary clinics provide easy access to care in one convenient appointment for your neurological condition, with specialists in oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and behavioral health.
• Norton Healthcare’s four adult service hospitals in Louisville are certified by DNV Healthcare, representing the highest level of stroke care.
  • Norton Brownsboro Hospital is recognized as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.
  • Norton Audubon Hospital and Norton Hospital are Primary Stroke Centers.
  • Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute’s multiple sclerosis (MS) program has been designated a Center for Comprehensive MS Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center, providing the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center navigators help educate patients and their families about new diagnoses, available treatments and ways to manage their disease.
• We are listed by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of 100 great neurosurgery and spine programs.