Dr. Paul C. McAfee, MD, MBA

Expert Publications

• Laparoscopic fusion of the lumbar spine: minimally invasive spine surgery. A prospective multicenter study evaluating open and laparoscopic lumbar fusion.
• Biomechanical analysis of anterior versus circumferential spinal reconstruction for various anatomic stages of tumor lesions.
• Osteogenic protein versus autologous interbody arthrodesis in the sheep thoracic spine. A comparative endoscopic study using the Bagby and Kuslich interbody fusion device.
• Robotic arm enhancement to accommodate improved efficiency and decreased resource utilization in complex minimally invasive surgical procedures.
• Does spinal instrumentation influence the healing process of posterolateral spinal fusion? An in vivo animal model.
• Interbody fusion cages in reconstructive operations on the spine.
• Static and fatigue biomechanical properties of anterior thoracolumbar instrumentation systems. A synthetic testing model.
• The stability of reconstruction methods after thoracolumbar total spondylectomy. An in vitro investigation.
• Does spinal kyphotic deformity influence the biomechanical characteristics of the adjacent motion segments? An in vivo animal model.
• Biomechanical evaluation of five different occipito-atlanto-axial fixation techniques.
• Biomechanical properties of anterior thoracolumbar multisegmental fixation: an analysis of construct stiffness and screw-rod strain.
• In vitro biomechanical investigation of the stability and stress-shielding effect of lumbar interbody fusion devices.
• Anterior vertebral screw strain with and without solid interspace support.
• Lumbar sagittal alignment after fusion with a threaded interbody cage.
• Biomechanical evaluation of stand-alone interbody fusion cages in the cervical spine.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Paul C. McAfee, who serves patients in Maryland.

A respected leader in spinal surgery, Dr. McAfee’s areas of expertise are in spinal reconstructive surgery and general orthopaedics. He is the Director of the Scoliosis and Spine Center at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center & a part of the team of professionals at Towson Orthopaedic Associates in Baltimore, Maryland.

Opened by Dr. McAfee in 1991, the Scoliosis and Spine Center specializes in treating spine problems, including spinal stenosis, disk herniations, injuries, and chronic diseases. Its philosophy is that the best patient care starts with thorough patient education on the causes of disorder, the precise diagnosis, the array of treatment options, and long-term management. The Center is affiliated with Towson Orthopaedic Associates.

The Medical Library at University of Maryland St Joseph Medical Center was dedicated and named after Paul C McAfee, MD, MBA

Recognized as one of the pioneers in the field of robotics and navigation, Dr. McAfee has performed more than 200 innovative procedures in 32 countries and has invented a cervical disk replacement. His early pioneering work on CT scans for burst fractures led to a better understanding of implant behavior first with pedicle screw based instrumentation and, subsequently, with many other devices. He and his lab have set the standard for biomechanical testing of implant and construct performance. More recently, they have done pioneering work on disk endplate interface behavior and the effects of wear debris around the spine.

In regards to his educational background, Dr. McAfee received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester, and his medical degree from Syracuse Upstate Medical University. He completed his internship at University of Virginia, his residency in orthopaedic surgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and his fellowship in reconstructive surgery and spinal cord injury at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. 

Dedicated to excellence, the doctor is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopaedic residents and surgeons as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopaedic surgeons.

Among his professional affiliations, he is a member of the North American Spine Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Research Society, the International Cervical Spine Research Society, the Scoliosis Research Society, and the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery.

With a focus on correcting spine deformities and neurologic deficits, Dr. McAfee participates in the Spine Training Programs at Johns Hopkins, Sinai Lifebridge, and University of Maryland Systems. He has a traveling fellowship to teach other spine surgeons around the world on the topic of minimally invasive spine surgery. 

Orthopaedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

An expert in his field, Dr.McAfee has been recognized among the Top 1% of spine experts, worldwide, for his expertise and contributions to the field. He has written over 200 peer-reviewed publications; has authored 6 full-length textbooks and surgical atlases which include Atlas of Spinal Surgery, Motion Preservation Surgery of the Spine: Advanced Techniques and Controversies, and Atlas of Endoscopic Spine Surgery; as well as holds over 20 US patents on spinal devices including US7001432, US20040010259, US20040083000, and US20040102846.

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