Wayne Cohen-Levy, MD, MSc, Extends UH's Expertise in Hip and Knee Replacement

Innovations in Orthopaedics | Winter 2022

In line with national trends, the demand for hip and knee replacement is rising throughout Northeast Ohio. Joint reconstruction surgeon Wayne Cohen-Levy, MD, MSc, joined the Department of Orthopaedics at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center last fall, offering expert arthroplasty care to individuals living with pain and limited mobility.

Wayne Cohen-Levy, MD

“Dr. Cohen-Levy’s addition to our program is critical as we continue to grow arthroplasty services throughout our regional communities, and we’re thrilled he has joined our team,” says James Voos, MD, Chair, Department of Orthopaedics. “His proficiency with same-day and short-stay total joint replacement aligns with an increasing segment of patients who prefer to recover in their own homes, particularly during the pandemic.”

Dr. Cohen-Levy completed a fellowship in adult reconstructive orthopaedics at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. A graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, he completed his residency and held the position of academic chief resident at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He also holds an undergraduate and Master of Science degree from the University of Florida.

An Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Dr. Cohen-Levy is sharing his valuable knowledge of hip and knee arthroplasty and implant technology with residents. “The rich culture of the orthopedic residency program was certainly a draw,” he says. “Our residents are motivated and respectful, and they approach situations with a fresh set of eyes. In the same way that my mentors challenged me to carry the baton forward, I know they will have to solve different problems than the ones we think about today.”

Working in conjunction with other surgeons, as well as scientists within the Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering, Dr. Cohen-Levy is developing a novel implant for hip revision or replacement. “Dr. Steven Fitzgerald and other leaders within our department are utilizing the incredible resources of the Case engineering department to see if we can address the problem of loosening acetabular shells following revision of a total hip replacement,” he says.

He is also using machine learning algorithms to predict factors such as component failure, blood transfusion rates and the impact of bone quality on prosthetic integration. “With his basic science research capabilities in engineering and biomechanics, Dr. Cohen-Levy is serving our mission of great clinical skill while advancing our commitment to scientific discovery,” Dr. Voos says.

Much of Dr. Cohen-Levy’s surgical practice is focused on revision surgery, particularly in patients requiring a complex redo of a prior hip or knee replacement. While today’s implants provide durable functionality for decades, older implants may need to be repaired or replaced.

“When you are dealing with a revision, there are different reasons an implant may have failed—infection, worn parts, debris or instability” he says. “Because we have a large catchment area here at University Hospitals, we are able to serve as a referral site for more advanced cases and help these patients improve their function and quality of life.”

With a commitment to public health advocacy on a national level, Dr. Cohen-Levy is a member of the Young Arthroplasty Group within the American Academy of Knee Surgeons. He is also raising awareness about subconscious or implicit bias as it relates to equitable access to total joint replacement.

Looking at different regions of the country, his research group found that minority patients often have a much harder time seeking treatment for arthritis and accessing qualified surgeons to perform joint replacement. Based on preoperative functional scores, non-white individuals tended to have more advanced osteoarthritis and debilitating symptom burden before primary care physicians provided a referral to a surgeon’s office.

“The trends have not improved, despite initiatives to address gaps in healthcare equity,” Dr. Cohen-Levy says. “I think the more we talk and write about the problem, the more action we can take to reduce barriers and raise utilization rates for underserved populations.”

Closer to home, Dr. Cohen-Levy is rooted in his new community. He first got to know Cleveland through his wife’s family. “She was born and raised here, and returning to this area has been a blessing,” he says. “The University Hospitals system is phenomenal, and the people are wonderful. I’ve lived in New York, Miami and Boston—these bigger cities with flashier reputations—but the quality of the person here is better. I feel fortunate that my wife is from such a lovely place.”

For more information, email Dr. Cohen-Levy at Wayne.Cohen-Levy@UHhospitals.org.

Contributing Experts:
Wayne Cohen-Levy, MD, MSc
Orthopedic Surgeon
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Assistant Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

James Voos, MD
Chair, Department of Orthopedics
Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Charles H. Herndon Professorship and Chair
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Head Team Physician, Cleveland Browns
Medical Director, Cleveland Ballet