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My Research Background

Twenty years of Academic service at the University of California and the Cleveland Clinic has allowed Dr. McLain to participate in some of the most innovative breakthroughs in spine care in the past 100 years. Clinical research, basic science research, biomechanical analysis, and clinical trials have allowed him to be at the forefront of game-changing new techniques, and to recognize what will, and what will not help patients the most.

Why is research important?...

Clinical Research

Innovative care improves patient satisfaction: Eliminating bone graft pain

Traditional bone graft harvest techniques can cause severe, long-lasting pain.
In a large study of his unique, minimally invasive bone graft technique, Dr. McLain showed that his patients were essentially pain free from 6 months up to eight years after surgery, and still had a better rate of spine fusion. 

McLain, R.F. et al: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Iliac Crest Bone Graft: Long Term Follow-up. The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, 2012
McLain, R.F., Techy, F.: Trephine Technique for Iliac Crest Bone Graft Harvest. Long Term Results.  Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2021 

Basic Science Investigation

Biomechanical studies lead to better choices-

In an early analysis of pedicle screw design, Dr. McLain found that screws with a conical shaft offer improved fixation strength compared to cylindrical screws of the same size and thread design...(and)...could be backed out for intra-operative adjustment without loss of pull-out strength.
Abshire, McLain, et al.: Characteristics of Pullout Failure in Conical and Cylindrical Pedicle Screws. The Spine Journal 2001

Understanding back pain:
Analysis showed that the pain generating neurons of the lumbar spine may change their synthetic activity in response to chronic vibration, increasing the production of neurotransmitters that produce pain sensations. This was the first of many studies on this topic published in important spine and orthopaedic journals.
McLain, Weinstein: Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Dorsal Root ganglion Neurons.  Spine 1998

Studying specific surgical techniques, Dr. McLain
showed that removal of one cervical facet joint did not cause instability in neck motion, eliminating the need for fusion after this kind of surgery.
Mageswaran, McLain et al: Effects of Sequential Unilateral Facetectomy on Cervical Spine Stability. Spine 2013.

Medical Science

Medical Science is "Science for the patient's sake"

Stem cells can improve fusion rates.  Studies showed that the concentration of bone-forming stem cells was 71% higher in vertebral bone marrow aspirates compared to traditional iliac crest samples, showing that the vertebral body can provide bone marrow stem cells for spinal fusion.
McLain et al: Aspiration of Osteoprogenitor Cells for Augmenting Spinal Fusion. J Bone and Joint Surgery 2006

Stem cell studies showed that multiple aspirations can be taken from the same vertebral body during surgery, providing connective tissue progenitor cells (stem cells) that stimulate bone formation. This study shows that the vertebral body is an ideal source for bone marrow harvest during spinal fusion.
McLain et al: Transpedicular Aspiration of Osteoprogenitor Cells...The Spine Journal 2009

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Curriculum Vitae: My Training and Background

To view my current and complete CV, click here.  Below is a brief summary of my appointments and responsibilities, and an overview of some of my academic accomplishments.

CURRENT APPOINTMENTS:

      Staff Spine Surgeon, Beachwood Medical Center, Spine Surgery Cleveland
      Staff Spine Surgeon, Northern Ohio Surgery Center
      Adjunct Professor, Biomechanics, Cleveland State University

EDUCATION:

     Medical School: 1980-1984 - University of California, Davis, School of Medicine
     Internship and Residency: 1984-1989 - University of Iowa, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
     Fellowship: 1989-1990 - NIH Research Fellowship, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
     Fellowship: 1990-1991 - Spine Surgery Clinical Fellowship, University of California, Davis

NATIONAL SOCIETIES:  LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:
    American Orthopaedic Association: Traveling Fellowship Award Committee
    North American Spine Society: Audit and Membership Committees
    Orthopaedic Research Society: Nominating Committee
    MidAmerica Orthopaedic Association: Membership Committee Chair, Board of Directors, Past President
    American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
    International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine

PUBLICATIONS:

BOOKS - Author/Editor
    Author: Cancer in the Spine - Comprehensive Care;  Spinal Reconstruction - Applied Basic Science, Biomechanics, and Engineering; Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion
    Editor: The Adult Spine;  Chapman's Operative Orthopaedics

PUBLISHED PAPERS
    Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications:   130
    Chapters in Major Textbooks:                 59
    Papers Presented at National and International Meetings    446

RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED
    35 National and International Grants Received 

PROGRAMS
    Fellowship Director, Cleveland Clinic Spine Surgery Fellowship Program - 2000-2012


       URL:  Orthodoc.aaos.org/robertmclainmd , and www.spinesurgerycleveland.com

    

                                                           

 
http://orthodoc.aaos.org/RobertMcLainMD/CV%20for%20Website%202014.docx