Christopher L. Hamill MD, MHA
Christopher L. Hamill
MD, MHA
Clinical Associate Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Orthopaedic Surgery; Spine Surgery
Contact Information
Patient Care
Patient Care
This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.
View this physician on UBMDProfessional Summary:
I’m a clinical associate professor with Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and director of Spine Services. My area of specialty training and interest is in Spinal Deformity surgery involving scoliosis, kyphosis and flatback deformities in children and adults.
I am a member of the Scoliosis Research Society where I have sat on the Prevalence & Natural History Committee and the Worldwide Course Committee. I have memberships with the North American spine Society, Western New York Orthopaedic Society and American Medical Association and have had the pleasure of giving lectures on diagnosis, treatments and surgery for a wide variety of spine conditions.
I work as the co-director of Spine Services at Buffalo General Hospital where I oversee clinical, teaching, research and administrative tasks related to spine care. I am actively involved with teaching medical students, orthopaedic residents and fellows in both orthopaedics and neurosurgery.
I have been actively involved in an Adult Deformity study group with a grant given by the North American Spine Society. The emphasis has been on improving outcomes for surgical patients based on patient reported outcomes.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Washington University, School of Medicine (1995)
- Residency, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1994)
- Internship, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1990)
- MD, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1989)
- BA, Economics, Colgate University (1984)
Employment:
- Clinical Associate Professor, Orthopaedics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2007-present)
- Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (1996-present)
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Orthopaedics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1997–2001)
- Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, Simmons Orthopaedic & Spine Associates (1995–1996)
- Clinical Assistant Professor, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1988–1989)
Awards and Honors:
- Russell A. Hibbs Best Clinical Science Award (2009)
- Dean‘s List (1983)
Research Expertise:
- Adult Deformity Outcomes Study: Adult Deformity Outcomes Study
- Developmental Spondylolisthesis: A Prospective Multi-Center Study: Physician Deformity Study Group
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- April 2014–April 2015
the Innovative Micro-Programs Accelerating Collaboration in Themes (IMPACT)titled: "Does the Orientation of the Spine & Sacrum protect the Pelvic Floor"
University at Buffalo - IMPACT GRANT
Role: Co-Investigator
$35,000 - January 1999–January 2000
Adult Deformity Outcomes Analysis
North American Spine Society
Role: Co-Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Lee A, Lucasti C, Scott MM, Patel DV, Kohut K, Pavlesen S, Bayers-Thering M, Hamill CL. (2023) The Surgical Outcomes of Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy per Different First Assistant: Retrospective Analysis of 312 Cases. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (Jul).
- Slowinski J, Lucasti C, Maraschiello M, Kluczynski MA, Kowalski J, Hamill C. (2022) Minimally invasive spine surgery as treatment for persistent infectious lumbar spondylodiscitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong) (Mar), 8(1): 1-8. doi:10.21037/jss-21-50
- Hamill CL, Bridwell KH, Baldus C, Berven S, Edwards C, Glassman S, Horton W, Lenke LG, Ondra S, Schwab F, Shaffrey C, Wootten D. (2010) Changes in radiographic and Clinical Outcomes with Primary Treatment adult spinal Deformity Surgeries from Two Years to Three to Five years Follow up. Spine 35 (Sep)1849-1954.
- Bridwell KH, Baldus C, Berven S, Edwards C, Glassman S, Hamill C, Horton W, Lenke LG, Ondra S, Schwab F, Shaffrey C, Wootten D. (2010) Changes in radiographic and clinical outcomes with primary treatment adult spinal deformity surgeries from two years to three- to five-years follow-up. Spine (Sep), 35(20): 1849-54.
- Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Glassman SD, Berven SH, Schwab FJ, Hamill CL, Horton WC, Ondra SL, Sansur CA, Bridwell KH. (2010) Risk-Benefit Assessment of Surgery for Adult Scoliosis: An Analysis Based on Patient Age. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) (Jul).
- Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Berven S, Glassman S, Hamill C, Horton W, Ondra S, Schwab F, Shainline M, Fu KM, Bridwell K, . (2009) Operative versus nonoperative treatment of leg pain in adults with scoliosis: a retrospective review of a prospective multicenter database with two-year follow-up. Spine (Jul), 34(16): 1693-8.
- Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Berven S, Glassman S, Hamill C, Horton W, Ondra S, Schwab F, Shainline M, Fu KM, Bridwell K, . (2009) Improvement of back pain with operative and nonoperative treatment in adults with scoliosis. Neurosurgery (Jul), 65(1): 86-93; discussion 93-4.
- Hamill CL, Smith, J.S., Shaffrey, C.I., Glassman, B.S., Berven, S., Ondra, S., Schwab, F., Shainline, M., Fu, K.M., Bridwell, K.H., Horton, W. (2009) Operative versus Nonoperative Treatment of Leg Pain in Adults with Scoliosis. Spine (Jul), 34(16): 1693-1698.
- Hamill CL, Smith, J.S., Shaffrey, C.I., Glassman, B.S., Horton, W., Ondra, S., Schwab, F., Shainline, M., Fu, K.M., Bridwell, K.H. (2009) Improvement of Back Pain with Operative and Nonoperative Treatment in Adults with Scoliosis. Neurosurgery (Jul), 65(1): 86-93.
- Hamill CL, Smith, J.S., Shaffrey, C.I., Berven, S., Glassman, S., Horton, W., Ondra, S., Schwab, F., Fu, K.M., Bridwell, K.H. (2008) Operative vs. Conservative Treatment of Leg Pain in Adults with Scoliosis: A Retrospective Review of a Prospective Multicenter Database with Two Year Follow-up. Spine (Sep), 8(5).
- Glassman SD, Hamill CL, Bridwell KH, Schwab FJ, Dimar JR, Lowe TG. (2007) The Impact of Perioperative Complications on Clinical Outcome in Adult Deformity Surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) (Nov), 32(24): 2764-2770.
- Glassman SD, Hamill CL, Bridwell KH, Schwab FJ, Dimar JR, Lowe TG. (2007) The impact of perioperative complications on clinical outcome in adult deformity surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) (Nov), 32(24): 2764-2770.
- Bridwell KH, Berven S, Glassman S, Hamill C, Horton WC, Lenke LG, Schwab F, Baldus C, Shainline M. (2007) Is the SRS-22 instrument responsive to change in adult scoliosis patients having primary spinal deformity surgery?. Spine (Sep), 32(20): 2220-5.
- Hamill CL, Bridwell, K.H., Berven, S., Glassman, S.D., Horton III, W.C., Lenke, L.G., Schwab, F., Baldus, C., Shainline, M. (2007) Is the SRS-22 Instrument Responsive to Change in Adult Scoliosis Patients having Primary Spinal Deformity Surgery?. Spine (Sep), 32(20): 2220-2225.
- Bridwell KH, Berven S, Edwards C, Glassman S, Hamill C, Schwab F. (2007) The problems and limitations of applying evidence-based medicine to primary surgical treatment of adult spinal deformity. Spine (Sep), 32(19 Suppl): S135-9.
- Polly DW, Hamill CL, Bridwell KH. (2006) Debate: To Fuse or Not to Fuse to the Sacrum, the Fate of the L5-S1 Disc. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) (Sep), 31(19 Su): 179-184.
- Polly DW, Hamill CL, Bridwell KH. (2006) Debate: to fuse or not to fuse to the sacrum, the fate of the L5-S1 disc. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) (Sep), 31(19 Su): 179-184.
- Hamill CL. (2003) The Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis. Current Opinion in Orthopaedics (Jan), 14: 119-126.
- Komanetsky RM, Padberg AM, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Russo MH, Chapman MP, Hamill CL. (1998) Neurogenic motor evoked potentials: a prospective comparison of stimulation methods in spinal deformity surgery. J Spinal Disord (Feb), 11(1): 21-28.
- Hamill, C.L., Simmons, E.H. (1997) Inter-and intraobserver variability in grading lumbar spine fusions. Journal of Spinal Disorders (Oct), 10(5).
- Hamill CL, Simmons ED. (1997) Interobserver Variability in Grading Lumbar Fusions. J Spinal Disord (Oct), 10(5): 387-390.
- Hamill CL, Simmons ED. (1997) Interobserver variability in grading lumbar fusions. J Spinal Disord (Oct), 10(5): 387-390.
- Hamill CL, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Chapman MP, Baldus C, Blanke K. (1997) Posterior arthrodesis in the skeletally immature patient. Assessing the risk for crankshaft: is an open triradiate cartilage the answer?. Spine (Jun), 22(12): 1343-1351.
- Hamill CL, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Chapman MP, Blanke K, Baldus C. (1996) The use of pedicle screw fixation to improve correction in the lumbar spine of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Is it warranted?. Spine (May), 21(10): 1241-1249.
- Chapman, M.P., Bridwell, K.H., Lenke, L.G., Christopher Hamill, Baldus, C., Blanke, K. (1900) Risk factors for transition syndrome above or below solid fusions (Submitted, not yet published). Spine (Jan).
- Padberg, A.M., Komanetsky, R., Lenke, L.G., Bridwell, K.H., Russo, M.H., Chapman, M.P., Christopher Hamill. (1900) Neurogenic evoked potentials: a prospective comparison of stimulation methods in spinal deformity surgery (submitted, not yet published). Spine (Jan).
- Christopher Hamill, Simmons, E.H. (1900) Biological factors affecting success in posterolateral lumbar spine fusion (submitted, not yet published). Spine (Jan).
Books and Book Chapters:
- Christopher Hamill. (1900) In: Spinal and pelvic manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis and the spondyloarthropathies.
- Christopher Hamill. (1900) In: Degenerative diseases and disk disorders of the cervical spine.
Abstracts:
- Lawrence Bone, Christopher Hamill, Philip Stegemann. (1994) Treatment Protocol and Outcome of Severe Pilon Fractures. AAOC Orthopaedic Transactions, (Jan) 1123
- Lawrence Bone, Philip Stegemann, Christopher Hamill. (1993) Management Protocol for Complex Pilon Fractures. Orthopaedic Transaction, (Jan)
Professional Memberships:
- American Medical Association
- American Society of General Surgeons
- Buffalo General Hospital
- Children's Hospital of Buffalo (Kaleida Health)
- Erie County Medical Center
- Medical Society of Erie County
- Medical Society of the State of New York
- Millard Fillmore Hospital
- North American Spine Society
- Scoliosis Research Association
- The Scoliosis Association of Western New York; Chapter 21
- Western New York Orthopaedic Society
Presentations:
- "Adult Lumbar Scoliosis: State-of-the-Art Treatment (Operative and Non-Operative)." AAOS Annual Meeting (2013)
- "Adult Lumbar Scoliosis: State-of-the-Art Treatment (Operative and Non-Operative)." AAOS Annual Meeting (2012)
- "Deterioration of Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes With Primary Treatment Adult Spinal Deformity Surgeries From 2 Years to 3-5 Years Follow-Up." Scoliosis Research Society 44th Annual Meeting (2009)
- "Proximal Thoracic versus Thoracolumbar Stop Folowing Pedicle Subtraction Paper osteotomy for Adult Patients with Sagittal Imbalance: Which One is Better?" Scoliosis Research Society 44th Annual Meeting (2009)
- "Risk-Benefit Assessment of Surgery for Adult Scoliosis: An Analysis Based on Patient Age" Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting (2009)
- "Sagittal Decompensation Following Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy for Adult Patients with Sagittal Imbalance: Incidence; Risk Factors; and SRS Outcomes Score" Scoliosis Research Society 44th Annual Meeting (2009)
- "Management of Pseudarthrosis: When to Operate vs. Not? How to Fix the Pseudarthrisis in Terms of Posterior-Only or Anterior and Posterior, Including Fixation Points and Bed Preparation." Spinal Deformity Study Group Symposium: Emerging Trends and Advanced Surgical Techniques in Spinal Deformity. (2008)
- "Distal Anchor Selection for Adult Spinal Deformity (S1 vs S2 / ileum): The Effect on Sagittal Alignment and Outcomes." Scoliosis Research Society 43rd Annual Meeting (2008)
- "Operative versus Non-operative Treatment of Leg Pain in Adults with Scoliosis: A Retrospective Review of a Prospective Multicenter Database with Two-Year Follow-Up." Scoliosis Research Society 43rd Annual Meeting (2008)
- "Sagittal Spinopelvic Alignment Change after Lumbar Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy: a Multicenter Analysis of 113 Patients with a Minimum 2 Years Follow-Up." Scoliosis Research Society 43rd Annual Meeting (2008)
- "The Changing Practice of Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: An Emerging New Paradigm for Surgical Approach; Staged Procedures and Fusion Levels." Scoliosis Research Society 43rd Annual Meeting (2008)
- "Adult Lumbar Scoliosis: State-of-the-Art Treatment (Operative and Non-operative)." American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 75th Annual Meeting (2008)
- "Adult Scoliosis-Posterior Fusion to the Sacrum and Pelvis" Spinal Deformity Study Group Symposium: Emerging Trends and Advanced Surgical Techniques in Spinal Deformity. (2007)
- "Neurologic Complication Rate in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery" Scoliosis Research Society 42nd Annual Meeting (2007)
- "Is the SRS-22 Instrument Responsive to Change (Surgical Treatment) in Adult Scoliosis Patients having Primary Spinal Deformity Surgery?" Scoliosis Research Society 41st Annual Meeting (2006)
- "Fixation to the Sacrum and Ilium, Anatomy, Biomechanics and Clinical Results" Spinal Deformity Study Group Symposium: Emerging Trends and Advanced Surgical Techniques in Spinal Deformity (2005)
- "To Fuse or Not to Fuse the Sacrum? The Fate of the Lumbosacral Disc." Scoliosis Research Society 40th Annual Meeting Scoliosis Research Society 40th Annual Meeting (2005)
- "Fixed Sagittal Imbalance." Neurosurgery Grand Rounds; Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital (2005)
- "Indications for Osteotomies, Spinal Deformity Study Group Symposium 2004" Emerging Trends and Advanced Surgical Techniques. (2004)
- "Indications for Osteotomies, Spinal Deformity Study Group Symposium 2003." Emerging Trends and Advanced Surgical Techniques. (2003)
- "Anterior column support in spinal fusion" Emerging Technologies in Spine Surgery & Seminar on Developing Your Idea; University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (2002)
- "Adult Lumbar Scoliosis: State-of-the-Art Treatment (Operative and Non-Operative)." AAOS Annual Meeting (2001)
- "Cervical spine pain, radiculopathy" Spinal Disorders Continuing Education Conference; Daemen College (1999)
- "Cervical Spine instability in rheumatoid arthritis" City-Wide Grand Rounds; ; Department of Rheumatology (1996)
- "Injuries to the growing athlete" Southtowns Pediatric Society; Southtowns Pediatric Society (1996)
- "Idiopathic scoliosis: diagnosis and treatment" Buffalo Pediatric Society; Buffalo Pediatric Society (1996)
- "Lumbar disc disease" Family Medicine Grand Rounds; Deaconess Hospital; Family Medicine (1996)
- "Can we lordos this spine with Zeilke instrumentation anteriorly?" 10th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society (1995)
- "Can we lordos this spine with Zielke instrumentation anteiorly?" 10th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society; North American Spine Society (1995)
- "Lumbar pedicle screws to improve correction in idiopathic scoliosis patients" 10th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society; North American Spine Society (1995)
- "Posterior arthodesis in the skeletally immature patient: assessing crankshift risk" 10th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society; North American Spine Society (1995)
- "Risk factors for transition syndromes above or below solid fusions" 10th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society; North American Spine Society (1995)
- "Can we lordos this spine with Zielke instrumentation anteiorly?" 30th Annual Meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society; Scoliosis Research Society (1995)
- "Neurogenic evoked potenials: a prospective comparison of stimulation methods in spinal deformity surgery" 30th Annual Meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society; Scoliosis Research Society (1995)
- "Posterior arthodesis in the skeletally immature patient: assessing the risk for crankshaft. Is an open triradiatc cartilage the answer?" 30th Annual Meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society; Scoliosis Research Society (1995)
- "Risk factors for transition syndromes above or below solid fusion" 30th Annual Meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society; Scoliosis Research Society (1995)
- "The use of the pedicle screw fixation to improve lumbar spine correction in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Is it warranted?" 30th Annual meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society; Scoliosis Research Society (1995)
- "Interobserver variability in grading lumbar spine fusions" 22nd Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine; International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (1995)
- "Interobserver variability in grading lumbar spine fusion status" 62nd Annual Meeting of the AAOS; AAOS (1995)
- "Interobserver variability in grading lumbar spine fusion status" Spinal Science Advancement Foundation; Spinal Science Advancement Foundation (1994)
- "Interobserver variability in grading lumbar spine fusion status" American Spine Society Meeting; American Spine Society (1994)
- "Management protocol for high henergy pilon fractures" 61 st Annual Meeting American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; AAOS (1994)
- "Biological factors affecting success in posterolateral lumbar spine fusion" Graduation Day Ceremonies; ECMC (1993)
- "Biological factors affecting success in posterolateral lumbar spine fusion" 60th Annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; AAOS (1993)
- "The Utilization of ultrasound to monitor clinical progress following initiation of treatment in established rotator cuff disease" 38th Annual Meeting of Dr. Frank N. Potts, M.D.; SUNYAB; Orthopaedic Day (1987)