Arthur Steffee, the ‘father of modern spine surgery,’ passed away on August 16 aged 90.
He died just days before a planned celebration of his 90th birthday.
Born in 1934 in Oil City, Pennsylvania, Dr Steffee’s journey into medicine was shaped by his family’s strong ties to the medical community and his determination.
He attended medical school at McGill University in Montreal and later trained as one of the first interns at the Cleveland Clinic.
An innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of better treatments for spinal conditions marked Dr Steffee’s career.
In 1982, while working at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland, he invented the pedicle screw, a revolutionary advancement in spinal surgery. This invention came about when Dr Steffee encountered a surgical challenge that led him to develop a new method using a bone screw placed into the spine’s pedicle.
His innovation not only improved surgical outcomes but also transformed the field of spine surgery.
In 1983, he founded AcroMed, a company dedicated to developing and manufacturing spinal implants.
AcroMed quickly became a leader in the industry, producing spinal implants, artificial vertebrae and total lumbar artificial discs, which Dr Steffee designed and patented.
His work laid the foundation for the widespread adoption of pedicle screw systems, which have become a standard in spine surgery.
Despite some significant legal challenges AcroMed faced, including over 3,000 lawsuits related to the use of pedicle screws, Dr Steffee's innovations remained integral to the evolution of spinal surgery.
His dedication to improving patient outcomes led to the FDA’s eventual approval of these devices and the widespread acceptance of his techniques.
His contributions to the field of orthopaedics were recognised by the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association when he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2023.
After retiring from medicine in 1996, Dr Steffee remained respected in the medical community. His legacy continues through the annual Spinal Review Course offered by the Cleveland Clinic’s Neurosurgery Institute, which includes a guest lecture named in his honour.
He is remembered not only for his innovation but also for his commitment to education and mentorship. He trained and inspired generations of orthopaedic surgeons, ensuring his legacy would continue through their work.
Dr Steffee leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service, innovation and vision.
