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Dr. Chris Cain, MD

(Dr. Christopher Cain, MD)

(66 Ratings)

Specializes in: Spine Surgery and Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery

The University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences (1985)

Professional interests include: spondylolysis (spinal stress fracture), cervical stenosis, spinal cord injury, and more.

12605 E. 16th Avenue Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion - 1st Floor
Aurora, CO 80045

(720) 848-1980

Dr. Chris Cain, MD is a spine surgeon in Aurora, CO specializing in spine surgery and orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. He graduated from The University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences in 1985 and has 40 years of experience. Dr. Chris Cain, MD is affiliated with UCHealth, University of Colorado Medicine, UCHealth Spine Center - Anschutz Medical Campus and UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS INCORPORATED.

Office Locations

Address:

12605 E. 16th Avenue Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion - 1st Floor
Aurora, CO 80045

Some issues Dr. Chris Cain, MD can help you with:

Musculoskeletal Problems

The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury medicine is a branch of medicine that treats damage to the spinal cord from an injury or a nontraumatic myelopathy, which is any disorder that affects the spinal area. The spinal cord is a section of nerve tissue protected by the vertebrae (spinal bones). Trauma to the spinal cord, typically caused by compression or bent vertebrae, prevents the body and brain from communicating. This can result in pain, loss of sensation, and impaired physical function and movement. Acute spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a leading cause of permanent disability. Spinal cord injuries may develop from accidents or myelopathies, disorders that provoke spinal compression. Traumatic incidents such as falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and bullet or stab wounds can cause an acute spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury medicine seeks to stabilize the spine and to alleviate the symptoms of spine damage. Practitioners of spinal cord injury medicine are called spinal cord injury specialists. Spinal cord injury medicine is an interdisciplinary field, meaning physicians of various specialties may be trained to treat spinal cord injuries.

Damage to the spinal cord may initially be diagnosed through X-ray, MRI, or CT scans. Patients can also undergo spinal exams to evaluate their sensory ability and strength. Injuries to the spinal cord can be complete (no feeling or sensation) or incomplete (some feeling or sensation remains). Conditions spinal cord injury medicine specialists may treat include:

Paralysis, such as paraplegia (loss of function in the legs), or quadriplegia (loss of function from the neck down)
Spine fracture or trauma, which can lead to impairment and/or significant pain
Spinal infections
Myelopathies, such as herniated disks, spinal tumors, and rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylosis, and degenerative conditions like Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS)

Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves surgery, either directly after an injury occurs or at a later date. Surgery for spine injuries is intended to ease spinal compression and stabilize the spine. Surgical procedures can involve shifting vertebrae, removing bone, or altering spinal placement with implantable devices. Patients with significant spinal trauma may require urgent surgical intervention.

Surgical treatments can be complemented by rehabilitative physical therapy to improve mobility. Spinal cord injury specialists also treat complications arising from a spinal injury, such as respiratory or bladder conditions. Some patients with spinal cord injuries may require lifelong treatment. Spinal cord injury specialists aim to help these patients successfully adjust and lead an improved quality of life. An emerging treatment for spinal cord injuries is neural prosthetics, which replicate patients' lost nerve function. Neural prostheses may be used as artificial body parts or assistive devices that patients may cognitively control. Other assistive devices include wheelchairs and scooters.

Spinal cord injury specialists may collaborate with physical therapists, radiologists, neurologists, urologists, and orthopedists.

decompression surgery	12
doctor visit	90
nerve procedures	12
spinal procedures	11

**Gender**
Male	50
Female	48

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	74
Black	11
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	31
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	48

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	12

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	15
doctor visit	45
minimally invasive procedures	15
spinal procedures	14

**Gender**
Male	36
Female	41

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	64
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	37
From 75 to 84	11
85 and over	0
Less than 65	29

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	23
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	15
decompression surgery	13
doctor visit	46
minimally invasive procedures	15
nerve procedures	13
spinal procedures	28

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	66

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	112
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	60
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	46

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	40
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	18
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

**Gender**
Male	26
Female	41

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	55
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	37
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	16

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	23
decompression surgery	10
doctor visit	41
minimally invasive procedures	23
nerve procedures	10
spinal procedures	33

**Gender**
Male	35
Female	35

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	50
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	35
From 75 to 84	21
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	56
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	32
decompression surgery	10
doctor visit	36
minimally invasive procedures	32
nerve procedures	10
spinal procedures	42

**Gender**
Male	40
Female	36

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	64
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	47
From 75 to 84	16
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	19
decompression surgery	13
doctor visit	49
minimally invasive procedures	19
nerve procedures	13
spinal procedures	32

**Gender**
Male	40
Female	40

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	59
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	38
From 75 to 84	23
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	30
Dementia	16
Cancer	0

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	19
doctor visit	31
minimally invasive procedures	19
spinal procedures	18

**Gender**
Male	26
Female	40

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	50
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	36
From 75 to 84	15
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	21
Osteoperosis	18
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	24
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	28
doctor visit	70
minimally invasive procedures	28
spinal procedures	27

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Chris Cain, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Chris Cain, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Aurora, CO were spinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) and nerve procedures.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	21
decompression surgery	11
doctor visit	50
minimally invasive procedures	21
nerve procedures	11
spinal procedures	25

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Chris Cain, MD.

**Gender**
Female	34
Male	32

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	1
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	52
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	0
75 to 84	8
Less than 65	13
65 to 74	32

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Chris Cain, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Chris Cain, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	48
High Cholesterol	36
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	6
Heart Failure	6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	4
Diabetes	18
Atrial Fibrillation	0
Dementia	1
Cancer	1

Education & Training

Dr. Chris Cain, MD graduated from The University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences in 1985. He completed residency at Program Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, East Melbourne, Australia. He has a state license in Colorado.

Medical School: The University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences (1985)

Residency: Program Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, East Melbourne, Australia (1993)

Licensed In: Colorado

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Chris Cain, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UCHealth

University of Colorado Medicine

UCHealth Spine Center - Anschutz Medical Campus

UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS INCORPORATED

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Chris Cain, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 66 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Chris Cain, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Aurora, CO.

4.5

Overall Rating

(66 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Chris Cain, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
DePuy Synthes Products LLC	$4,721,938 SYNFIX $2,446,950	Spine $1,551,916	Trauma $712,912	VBA $1,547	$8,612
DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.	$2,422,128 SYNFIX $1,340,827	SYNFIX Evolution $1,081,300
SeaSpine Orthopedics Corporation	$141,804 Mariner Outrigger $66,209	Mariner $25,649	Vu aPOD Prime $7,500	Atoll OCT System $4,375	Mariner Deformity $1,051	Other $37,021
Orthofix Medical, Inc.	$69,431 Mariner Outrigger $28,372	Mariner Deformity $26,951	MERIdian $6,811	Mariner $5,500	Reef TA $550	Other $1,247
DePuy Orthopaedics Inc.	$44,147 Spine $43,930	Vertebral Body Augmentation $112	Cervical $106
Other	$34,949 SYNFIX $15,958	SP-FIX $8,970	Spine $2,150	Cervical $718	Thoracolumbar $549	Other $6,604

**Types of Payments**
Royalty or License	$7,235,653
Consulting Fee	$154,839
Travel and Lodging	$30,578
Food and Beverage	$12,502
Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker for a non-accredited and noncertified continuing education program	$825

Research Payments

Dr. Chris Cain, MD has received 3 research payments totaling $76,987.

Biography

Dr. Chris Cain specializes in spine surgery and orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. Dr. Cain has received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating by his patients. Areas of expertise for Dr. Cain include scoliosis, cervical herniated disc, and spinal cord injury. He graduated from The University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences. Dr. Cain's professional affiliations include the University of Colorado Hospital and the University of Colorado Medicine.