Robert McLain, M.D.
| Appointed: |
1997 |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Languages: |
English |
Center for Spine Health
Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Neurological Surgery
Biographical Sketch
Robert McLain, MD, is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon with expertise in adult and pediatric spinal deformities, low back pain, infections, trauma, and tumors of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Recruited to the Clinic in 1997, Dr. McLain is trained in both microsurgical and minimally invasive techniques. Before coming to Cleveland Clinic, Dr. McLain was Director of the Spine Care Center at the University of California, Davis, and Chairman of the Back and Neck Subcommittee for the Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence at UC Davis.
In addition to his busy clinical practice, Dr. McLain is recognized as one of the outstanding researchers in the area of spinal disease and reconstruction, and directs the Spine Research Program at Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. McLain has written over 140 articles for scientific journals and textbooks, and he serves as an Associate Editor for Spine, the international journal for spine surgery. In 1992 he was awarded the North American Traveling Fellowship, and in 1995 he received the prestigious American-British-Canadian Exchange Fellowship of the American Orthopaedic Association.
Dr. McLain is a member of the North American Spine Society, the Scoliosis Research Society, the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Professional Highlights
- Surgical Technique Course: Anterior Approach for Lumbar Surgery: Didactic and Hands On Lab. Course Chairman. Cleveland Ohio, September, 2005.
- 24th Annual Mid America Orthopaedic Association Meeting: Annual Meeting Program Chairman, San Antonio, Texas, April, 2006.
- Seventh Annual CCF Nurses Course: Innovations in Spine Care: Essential Skills for the Nursing Team. Course Chairman. Cleveland Ohio, September, 2006.
- Interbody Fusion Technique Course: NASS PreCourse. Course Chairman. Seattle, Washington, September, 2006.
- Eighth Annual CCF Nurses Course: Innovations in Spine Care: Essential Skills for the Nursing Team. Course Chairman. Cleveland Ohio, September, 2007.
- Interbody Fusion Technique Course: NASS PreCourse. Course Chairman. Austin, Texas, October, 2007.
Education & Fellowships
| Medical School: | University of California-Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA |
|
| Internship: | University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Orthopaedic Surgery, Iowa City, IA |
| Residency: | University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Orthopaedic Surgery, Iowa City, IA |
| Fellowship: | University of California Davis Medical Center, Spine Surgery, Sacramento, CA |
| Other Education: | (Research Fellowship) University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA |
| Other Education: | (Undergraduate) University of California-Davis, Davis, CA |
Additional Training
- 2004 - Synthes Prodisc Clinical Training - Day with the Professor, Los Angeles, California
- 2004 - Synthes Prodisc Clinical Training - Day with the Professor Workshop, Dallas, Texas
- 2005 - Depuy Spine: Charite Clinical Training - Disc Arthroplasty Workshop, Dallas, Texas
- 2006 - Synthes Prodisc Surgeon Training Program - Part I and II FDA Training Workshops, Los Angeles, California
- 2007 - Synthes Prodisc - C Surgeon Training Program - FDA Training Workshops, Las Vegas, Nevada
Certifications
Specialty Interests
D back surgery and care of orthopaedic and spinal fractures, surgery for disorders of the neck, surgery of the adult and pediatric spine, hip and knee replacement, hip and knee surgery, hip and knee total joint replacement revisions and infections, Hip joint replacement.
Innovations & Patents
Provisional Patent: Composite Hydrogel Artificial Disc: A Nucleus Pulposis Prosthesis
The invention is a polymer composite nucleus pulposis replacement for the human intervertebral disc, consisting of a flexible foam scaffold impregnated with a more viscous hydrophilic polymer. The foam scaffold provides a three dimensional structure that conforms to the area within the operated intervertebral disc which is intended to be filled by hydrophilic matrix. Patent Awarded 2003
Provisional Patent: 60/784,232: Cannulated Probe for Transpedicular Aspiration of Autologous Osteoprogenitor Stem Cells
A unique probe design allows transpedicular aspiration of marrow elements including osteoprogenitor stem cells used in spine fusion augmentation. The probe will simultaneously create a pilot hole for pedicle screw instrumentation and provide access to the rich marrow beds contained within the vertebral bodies.
Provisional Patent: Unilateral Anterior Cervical Plate.
Awards & Honors
- John J. Fahey North American Traveling Fellow of The American Orthopaedic Association
- Zimmer Research Investigator Award, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
- Vernon P. Thompson Award, Western Orthopaedic Association: McKinley, T.O., and McLain, R.F.
- Charles H. Herndon Resident Research Award, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation: Fleming, J.E., and McLain, R.F., Sponsor.
- American British Canadian (ABC) Traveling Fellow of the American Orthopaedic Association
- Cleveland Orthopaedic Society Residents Research Award: Fleming, J.E. Jr., Muschler, G.F., McLain, R.F., Lieberman, I.H.
- Midwest Resident Research Competition Award Paper: Fleming, J.E., and McLain, R.F., Sponsor. Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
- Resident Scholar Award, Ohio Orthopaedic Society: Fleming, J.E., and McLain, R.F., Sponsor.
- Society for Experimental Mechanics Student Competition Award, Basic Science Research: Inceoglu, S., and McLain, R.F., Senior Investigator.
- American Society of Biomechanics Academic Travel Award: Inceoglu, S., and McLain, R.F., Senior Investigator.
- Lerner Research Institute Graduate Research Award, First Place , Applied Science: Inceoglu, S., and McLain, R.F., Senior Investigator and Advisor.
- Orthopaedic Research Society New Investigator Award. Yerby, S. and McLain, R.F.
Best Doctors in Orthopaedic Surgery, Annual Selection, Cleveland Magazine, March, 2008.
Professional Memberships
- American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) - Member, Elected 1997
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) - Fellow, Inducted 1995
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Iowa Orthopaedic Alumni Association - Member, Inducted 1990
- Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) - Member, Inducted 1992
- Paul R. Lipscomb Society - Member, Inducted 1992
- Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) - Candidate Member 1993 - Full Member 1999
- North American Spine Society (NASS) - Associate Member, Inducted 1993
- International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS) - Member, Elected 1994
- Federation of Spine Associations (FOSA)
- Mid-American Orthopaedic Association - Member, Elected 1999
- Selby Spine Society - Member, 2000
- OREF Alfred R. Shands, Jr. Circle Society - Member, 2002
- Spine Arthroplasty Society - Member, 2005
Specializes in Diseases and Conditions
Specializes in Services
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical education about recent trends. The collaborations are reviewed as part of the Cleveland Clinic’s procedures. The Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses payments to its physicians and scientists for speaking and consulting of $5,000 or more per year, and any equity, royalties, and fiduciary relationships in companies with which they collaborate. In publicly disclosing this information, the Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its doctors’ connections with industry and those of their immediate family members. As of 9/5/2008, Dr. McLain has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. Patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by the Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about the Cleveland Clinic’s policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our
Integrity in Innovation page.
Consulting. Dr. McLain receives fees of $5,000 or more per year as a paid consultant or speaker for the following companies:
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