Appointments: Call 800 670-0302
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?...
Why is research important?...
Clinical ResearchInnovative 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 InvestigationBiomechanical 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 ScienceMedical 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 |
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
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
URL: Orthodoc.aaos.org/robertmclainmd , and www.spinesurgerycleveland.com
http://orthodoc.aaos.org/RobertMcLainMD/CV%20for%20Website%202014.docx