Dr. Joel Norman, MD

Dr Norman and his staff were great from the first time I met them. Dr Norman is straight forward and honest. I guess that could be interpreted as lacking bedside manner, but I did not feel that way at all. I wanted a surgeon who I could trust to help me, which he did! I had a C5-7 fusion in my neck with immediate pain relief in my shoulder and arm. 8 days post-surgery I feel great. I'm back to work with minimal post-surgery pain. I do recommend Dr Norman and his staff!

Dr. Norman never performed any of the hands on assessment on me himself during my appointment. There were many obvious things wrong that were brushed off. He came off as arrogant and told me I did not have a neurological condition. Fast forward one month and confirmed by a Chiari malformation specialist neurosurgeon I have an even larger Chiari as well as a tethered spinal cord both congenital since birth which are the cause of my symptoms.

Dr Norman gave me all the details and scheduled surgery. I’am 2 weeks out today and can tell a big difference already can’t wait for 6 more weeks to be able to enjoy life again. Thanks Dr Norman

Every physician I saw told me I might not be in any better shape after surgery as I was in at that time. I saw Dr. Norman and he said he could fix me and he did. I have 2 plates 4 screws and a basket between 4-5 in my lower back. It has been 4 years and I walk 2 miles a day, swim 5 days a week and can "dance" at a wedding and not be a cripple the next day. He is the BEST!

Dr. Norman is a skilled and knowledgeable neurosurgeon! I would highly recommend him.

I have a fusion already in my neck. Had x-rays and an MRI taken. They show I have two bulging disk in my neck. He said they are not impinging any nerves. Than I showed him where I hurt the most in my neck and he said you may have a pinched nerve. Did he not just contradict himself. That was the only time he even touched me. His NP that came in before him checked me. I also asked about my sciatic nerve pain. She said your sciatic nerve is in your leg. But it starts in the back. Ugh!!

I was referred to Dr. Norman by a general surgeon in the same building. Dr. Norman was very successful in removing a begin neurofibroma from my leg with zero nerve damage. Given how my disease works and the potential likelyhood for issues after surgery I was a bit nervous. But Dr. Norman had experience with my disease and resection of these tumors in the past. Should I have another fibroma and if it’s in Dr. Norman’s expertise I would certainly choose him to be my surgeon again.

In June 2016 wife was referred to Dr. Norman with lower back pain. Review of MRI revealed spinal stenosis, herniated disk and vertebra deterioration. Suggested surgery that "should fix the issue". When asked about fusion surgery he refused. In August 2016 my wife still in pain -couldn't walk without a walker. Dr ordered a second MRI which revealed the need for additional surgery. Today we are facing fusion surgery after new surgeon found the origin surgery inadequate surgery.

This Dr is extremely pompous and egotistical. He preformed an Discectomy on my back. I was having pain and trouble walking and standing. I was using a cane to walk. I returned to his office after 6 weeks post surgery. I was still having pain and still using my cane to walk. He told me I was ready to return to work full duty. I was a firefighter/EMT for 23 years. It was like he didn't care about nothing had changed. You are ready to go back to a fire tuck. I could barley walk or stand.

I was dianoised with a softball size brain tumor in 2014 when I received my diagnosis needless to say I was VERY scared. I was referred to Dr. Norman by my family physician. When I went for my initial appointment he was very honest and very professional. My sister which is a critical care nurse went with me and my husband for my evaluation, she to was VERY impressed with his bedside manner and professionalism. I HIGHLY recomend this physician. With GOD & Dr. Norman I was in Great Hands!!!!!

Dr. Norman was spot on with my lower back issues after examining my MRI. He knew that I need immediate relief and NOT 4 weeks of therapy to get me up and walking to function in my life again. He immediately suggested facet joint injections (L4-L5) for my lower back and the appointment was set up that week. This is my first time dealing with him and I would totally recommend anyone to seek his opinion. I am very happy to find him since Dr. Eugene Vargas has moved away from Knoxville.

Only saw Dr. Norman one time and was very impressed with the advice given that I did not need surgery. Did not need to follow up, and was discharged right then. Would recommend him to family and friends.

I really, really like Dr. Norman. Granted he does not sugar coat things---if this is what you want go to someone else. If you want a doctor that will look you in the eye and answer you honestly and tell you the truth then go see him. He was great. I really got the feeling that he knows his stuff.

Someone else nailed him perfectly.POMPOUS.I have been in healthcare for twenty years, and I have never dealt with a more arrogant individual. I wouldn't take my daughter or refer anyone to him EVER. he needs to review the functions of a PITUITARY GLAND, AND potential symptoms if one is PLUMP AS he put it, or if she has a pituitary adenoma. HE CLAIMS none of her symptomsare from pituitary enlargement.VandY and UVA BEGGED TO differ. He lacks bedside manner, and obviously KNOWLEDGE.

I went to Dr Norman for numbness in my left thumb.From the 1st minute he talked to me he showed that he was not interested in trying to help me. He operated on my left hand for carpal tunnel release on October 16, 2015. On that day after the numbness wore off my next two fingers to my numb thumb were also numb. He was not concerned that he had made me worse instead of better. Too this day (04-07-2016) my two fingers and thumb are still completely numb. Do not go to this Doctor if you need help

Dr. Norman's expertise literally gave me my life back. I had a herniated disc in my neck and it had progressed to the point that I could barely walk and could only sleep sitting up. I had such pain that radiated to my left arm and hand. I found the whole experience to be professional from the staff in the office, to the operating room and hospital staff at Ft. Sanders Regional I can't speak highly enough of Dr. Norman.

Dr. Norman is straight to the point. He will tell you how he feels about a certain procedure if it will/will not work for you. I had a spinal cord tumor and his bed side manner was very rough, but he know what he is talking about. I would rather have a Doctor who will tell me the truth than try to coat it in sugar. He is a supreme surgeon, and I would not pick anyone else to work on my spinal cord/back. Thank you and God Bless you Dr. Norman!

This doctor had one of the most pompous attitudes and lack of desirable bed side manner I have ever encountered.. Doctors such as this, give healthcare a bad name. He does however , have an excellent staff. Maybe after 7 more years of experience , he will learn how to interact with the human species and acquire better people skills.