About
Paul McAfee, MD, MBA is an experienced fellowship trained, board-certified spine surgeon at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute. He has been in practice for over 35 years and now sees patients in Timonium and at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. He holds a joint appointment in both orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery. Dr. McAfee’s clinical interests are spinal reconstruction, adolescent scoliosis, and correcting spinal deformities and neurologic deficits through minimally invasive spine surgery. He is a proponent of education and believes that better informed patients get better results.
Dr. McAfee has been recognized as one of Baltimore’s Top Doctors and is among U.S. News & World Report’s Top 1% of spine experts worldwide for his expertise and contributions to the field of spine surgery. He is an industry pioneer who holds 16 patents, invented a type of cervical disc replacement, and has performed more than 200 motion-preserving surgeries in 10 countries. In addition, Dr. McAfee board certifies other orthopaedic surgeons through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has held leadership positions and professorships at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and University of Maryland Medical System.
Dr. McAfee is a prolific researcher with more than 200 publications to his name and is the Cervical Spine Section Editor for the International Journal of Spine Surgery. He serves on the editorial board and as a peer reviewer for Spine, Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, The Spine Journal, and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Dr. McAfee is a member of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society, Cervical Spine Research Society, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Credentials
Board Certification
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Education
- Residency Program Orthopaedic Surgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical Center
- Internship Program General Surgery, University of Virginia
- Externship Program Toronto Hospital for Sick Children
- Medical School State University of New York Upstate Medical Center
Conditions Treated
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Back Pain
At MedStar Union Memorial Orthopaedics, our goal is to relieve your back pain and restore your ability to enjoy your favorite activities. One of the best ways to ensure you get an accurate and complete diagnosis is to describe your…
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Pinched Nerve
The nerves running along the thoracic and lumbar areas of your spine may become irritated due to disc material bulging out from between the vertebrae. The associated pain may or may not radiate out to other parts of the body.
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Cervical Stenosis
Cervical stenosis is a common cause of neck pain, especially in older patients. It is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck area or upper part of the spine. This narrowing places pressure on the spinal…
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Spinal Infection (Vertebral Osteomyelitis)
Spine Infections are also referred to as Vertebral Osteomyelitis and are fairly rare as cause of back pain in young healthy people. The elderly and immunocompromised are at risk for this type of spinal condition.
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Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis A common cause of lower back and leg pain is lumbar spinal stenosis. As we age, our spines change. The normal effects of aging can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition is called spinal…
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Kyphosis
Kyphosis causes your spine to curve so much that your body is hunched and rounded. Postural kyphosis results from bad posture and slouching and is often less severe. Other types of kyphosis can cause deformities to individual vertebrae and more…
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Back Fracture (break)
The spinal vertebrae are spongier and less dense than the other bones in your body in order to accommodate movements like bending and twisting. This also means they are more vulnerable to fracture. A spinal fracture in the thoracic or…
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Neck Fracture (break)
The spinal vertebrae are spongier and less dense than the other bones in your body in order to accommodate movements like bending and twisting. This also means they are more vulnerable to fracture. A spinal fracture occurs when one of…
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Spinal Tumor
Tumors that grow on or near the bones of the spine or around the spinal cord can disrupt the line of communication between the spinal cord and the brain. Spinal tumors can originate in the spine, or spread to the…
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Herniated Disc (Back)
Lumbar Herniated Disc Many patients with back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower extremity muscles are diagnosed with a herniated disc. When a disc herniation occurs, the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae is pushed outside its…
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Herniated Disc (Neck)
Between the spinal bones (vertebrae) in your neck are pads of cartilage called discs. Natural use or strain can cause a disc to rupture (leak) or slip out of place (herniate). When a disc weakens, parts of it can shift…
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Scoliosis
Idiopathic Scoliosis- A sideways curvature of the thoracic and or lumbar spine. Typically in an “S” shape. Adult Scoliosis- This condition can occur when scoliosis in adolescence is untreated or not properly treated it can continue into adulthood causing back…
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Spondylolisthesis (stress fracture causing vertebrae to slip out of position)
Lumbar Spondylolisthesis In spondylolisthesis, one of the vertebra in the spine slips forward and out of place. This may occur anywhere along the spine, but is most common in the lower back. In some people, this causes no symptoms at…
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Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when a herniated disk puts pressure on or damages the sciatic nerve, which supports the muscles and controls sensation in the leg and foot. Those with sciatica often feel leg cramping, burning, weakness, numbness, and tingling as well…
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