Scholars@Duke

• Background
• 

  Education, Training, & Certifications

  • Fellow in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital 2009 - 2010
  • Resident in Orthopaedics, Duke University 2004 - 2009
  • M.D., University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 2004
  • Research Coordinator, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 1997 - 2000
• 

  Previous Appointments & Affiliations

  • Associate Professor in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Clinical Science Departments 2021
  • Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments 2021
  • Associate Professor in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Clinical Science Departments 2019 - 2020
  • Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments 2019 - 2020
  • Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments 2010 - 2019
  • Assistant Professor in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Clinical Science Departments 2013 - 2019
• Recognition
• 

  In the News

  • JUN 8, 2022

    Duke Helps Dancer Get Back Her Dancing Shoes

  • APR 15, 2016

    WRAL

    Low-dose X-rays curb radiation risks for scoliosis patients

  • APR 15, 2016

    WRAL

    Low-dose X-rays curb radiation risks for scoliosis patients

  • JAN 22, 2016

    Duke Today

    A New Hope for a Girl Living with Spina Bifida

  • JAN 22, 2016

    Spinal implant improves quality of life for little girl with early onset scoliosis
• Research
• 

  Selected Grants

  • Return to Function following Fusion of the Spine awarded by Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation 2019 - 2022
  • Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement awarded by Misonix, Inc. 2017
  • Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement awarded by DePuy Synthes Companies 2015
• 

  External Relationships

  • DePuy Spine (Johnson & Johnson)
  • Innovations 4 Surgery, LLC
  • NuVasive, Inc.
  • Orthopaedic Innovations, LLC
  • Trackx Technology LLC
• Publications & Artistic Works
• 

  Selected Publications

  • Academic Articles

    • Heyer, Jessica H., Jason B. Anari, Keith D. Baldwin, Stuart L. Mitchell, Scott J. Luhmann, Peter F. Sturm, John M. Flynn, Patrick J. Cahill, and Patrick J. Pediatric Spine Study Group. “Lengthening Behavior of Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods in Early-Onset Scoliosis: A Multicenter Study.” The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, October 2022. https://doi.org/10.2106/jbjs.22.00483.
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    • Anastasio, Albert T., Emily M. Peairs, Troy Q. Tabarestani, Billy I. Kim, Samuel B. Adams, and Robert K. Lark. “The expanding use of three-dimensional printing in orthopaedic and spine surgery.” J Spine Surg 8, no. 3 (September 2022): 300–303. https://doi.org/10.21037/jss-22-63.
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    • McMahon, Ryan, Sara J. Morgan, Jaysson T. Brooks, Patrick Cahill, Ryan Fitzgerald, Ying Li, Ying Pediatric Spine Study Group, and Walter H. Truong. “Does the presence of programmable implanted devices in patients with early onset scoliosis alter typical operative and postoperative practices? A survey of spine surgeons.” Spine Deform 10, no. 4 (July 2022): 951–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-022-00477-w.
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    • Mishreky, Amir, Stefan Parent, Firoz Miyanji, Kevin Smit, Joshua Murphy, Riley Bowker, Nedal Al Khatib, Ron El-Hawary, and Ron Pediatric Spine Study Group. “Body mass index affects outcomes after vertebral body tethering surgery.” Spine Deform 10, no. 3 (May 2022): 563–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-021-00455-8.
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    • Lark, Robert K., Elizabeth Ellie H. Garman, Mary Jackson, and Katherine S. Garman. “Shared Decision-Making for Juvenile Scoliosis.” Pediatrics 149, no. 4 (April 1, 2022). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2021-055709.
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    • Heffernan, Michael J., Manaf Younis, Michael P. Glotzbecker, Sumeet Garg, Claudia Leonardi, Selina C. Poon, Jaysson T. Brooks, et al. “The Effect of Surgeon Experience on Outcomes Following Growth Friendly Instrumentation for Early Onset Scoliosis.” J Pediatr Orthop 42, no. 2 (February 1, 2022): e132–37. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000002000.
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    • Magee, Lacey, Joshua T. Bram, Jason B. Anari, Brandon Ramo, Oscar H. Mayer, Hiroko Matsumoto, Jaysson T. Brooks, et al. “Outcomes and Complications in Management of Congenital Myopathy Early-Onset Scoliosis.” J Pediatr Orthop 41, no. 9 (October 1, 2021): 531–36. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001922.
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    • Clement, R Carter, Burt Yaszay, Anna McClung, Carrie E. Bartley, Naveed Nabizadeh, David L. Skaggs, George H. Thompson, et al. “Growth-preserving instrumentation in early-onset scoliosis patients with multi-level congenital anomalies.” Spine Deform 9, no. 5 (September 2021): 1491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-021-00370-y.
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    • Dial, Brian L., Valentine R. Esposito, Anthony A. Catanzano, Robert D. Fitch, and Robert K. Lark. “Implant Distribution Versus Implant Density in Lenke Type 1 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Does the Position of the Screw Matter?” Global Spine J 11, no. 7 (September 2021): 1076–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/2192568220941456.
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    • Varley, Eric S., Jeff B. Pawelek, Greg M. Mundis, Matthew E. Oetgen, Peter F. Sturm, Behrooz A. Akbarnia, Behrooz A. Pediatric Spine Study Group, and Burt Yaszay. “The role of traditional growing rods in the era of magnetically controlled growing rods for the treatment of early-onset scoliosis.” Spine Deformity 9, no. 5 (September 2021): 1465–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-021-00332-4.
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    • Rickert, Kathleen D., Paolo Arrigoni, Camille R. Guzel, Helena F. Barber, Benjamin A. Alman, and Robert K. Lark. “Growth Modulation by Stimulating the Growth Plate: A Pilot Study.” Ultrasound Med Biol 47, no. 8 (August 2021): 2339–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.03.036.
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    • Bellaire, Laura L., Chong Zhang, John T. Smith, John A. Heflin, Joshua Klatt, David Roye, Paul Sponseller, Amer Samdani, Graham T. Fedorak, and Graham T. Pediatric Spine Study Group. “Growth-friendly Spinal Instrumentation in Marfan Syndrome Achieves Sustained Gains in Thoracic Height Amidst High Rates of Implant Failure.” J Pediatr Orthop 41, no. 3 (March 1, 2021): e204–10. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001730.
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    • Toll, Brandon J., Amer F. Samdani, Amir A. Amanullah, Joshua M. Pahys, Muhammad Burhan Janjua, Steven W. Hwang, and Steven W. Pediatric Spine Study Group. “Congenital Scoliosis of the Pediatric Cervical Spine: Characterization of a 17-Patient Operative Cohort.” J Pediatr Orthop 41, no. 3 (March 1, 2021): e211–16. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001718.
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    • Swarup, Ishaan, Elle M. MacAlpine, Oscar H. Mayer, Robert K. Lark, John T. Smith, Michael G. Vitale, John M. Flynn, Jason B. Anari, Jason B. Pediatric Spine Study Group, and Patrick J. Cahill. “Impact of growth friendly interventions on spine and pulmonary outcomes of patients with spinal muscular atrophy.” Eur Spine J 30, no. 3 (March 2021): 768–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-020-06564-8.
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    • Monuszko, Karen, Michael Malinzak, Lexie Zidanyue Yang, Donna Niedzwiecki, Herbert Fuchs, Carrie R. Muh, Krista Gingrich, Robert Lark, and Eric M. Thompson. “Image quality of EOS low-dose radiography in comparison with conventional radiography for assessment of ventriculoperitoneal shunt integrity.” J Neurosurg Pediatr 27, no. 4 (January 8, 2021): 375–81. https://doi.org/10.3171/2020.8.PEDS20428.
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    • Tornetta, Paul, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Saam Morshed, Clifford Jones, Diane Heels-Ansdell, Sheila Sprague, Brad Petrisor, et al. “Risk Factors Associated With Infection in Open Fractures of the Upper and Lower Extremities.” J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 4, no. 12 (December 8, 2020): e20.00188. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-20-00188.
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    • Catanzano, Anthony A., Valentine R. Esposito, Brian L. Dial, Christine J. Wu, Zoe W. Hinton, Thomas J. Risoli, Cynthia L. Green, Robert D. Fitch, and Robert K. Lark. “Staying ahead of the curve: the use of spinopelvic parameters to predict curve progression and bracing success in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.” Spine Deform 8, no. 6 (December 2020): 1213–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-020-00159-5.
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    • Wang, Timothy Y., Farah Hamouda, Vikram A. Mehta, Eric W. Sankey, Chester Yarbrough, Robert Lark, and Muhammad M. Abd-El-Barr. “Effect of Instrument Navigation on C-arm Radiation and Time during Spinal Procedures: A Clinical Evaluation.” Int J Spine Surg 14, no. 3 (June 2020): 375–81. https://doi.org/10.14444/7049.
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    • Lark, Robert K., Brian L. Dial, and Benjamin A. Alman. “Complications After Pediatric Hip Fractures: Evaluation and Management.” J Am Acad Orthop Surg 28, no. 1 (January 1, 2020): 10–19. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00689.
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    • Esposito, Valentine R., Brian L. Dial, Robert D. Fitch, and Robert K. Lark. “Periapical Wires Result in Less Curve Correction Than Pedicle Screw Constructs in Idiopathic Scoliosis.” Asian Spine J 13, no. 6 (December 2019): 1010–16. https://doi.org/10.31616/asj.2019.0001.
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    • Lark, R., A. Catanzano, M. Vitale, C. Johnston, and P. Sponseller. “Effects of Serial Casting with or without Bracing on Sagittal Parameters in Early Onset Scoliosis.” Spine Deformity 7, no. 6 (November 1, 2019): 1032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspd.2019.09.033.
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    • Margalit, Adam, Paul D. Sponseller, Richard E. McCarthy, Jeff B. Pawelek, Lynn McCullough, Lawrence I. Karlin, Eric D. Shirley, et al. “Growth-Friendly Spine Surgery in Escobar Syndrome.” J Pediatr Orthop 39, no. 7 (August 2019): e506–13. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001315.
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    • Mayer, Stephanie W., Elizabeth W. Hubbard, Dan Sun, Robert K. Lark, and Robert D. Fitch. “Gradual Deformity Correction in Blount Disease.” J Pediatr Orthop 39, no. 5 (2019): 257–62. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000000920.
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    • Catanzano, A., L. Catanzano, R. Fitch, and R. Lark. “Shorter Anesthesia Time and Improved Initial Curve Correction with an Alternative Risser Casting Technique.” Spine Deformity 6, no. 6 (November 1, 2018): 801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspd.2018.09.023.
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    • Apkon, Susan D., Ben Alman, David J. Birnkrant, Robert Fitch, Robert Lark, William Mackenzie, Norbert Weidner, and Michael Sussman. “Orthopedic and Surgical Management of the Patient With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.” Pediatrics 142, no. Suppl 2 (October 2018): S82–89. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-0333J.
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    • Marcogliese, Paul C., Vandana Shashi, Rebecca C. Spillmann, Nicholas Stong, Jill A. Rosenfeld, Mary Kay Koenig, Julián A. Martínez-Agosto, et al. “IRF2BPL Is Associated with Neurological Phenotypes.” Am J Hum Genet 103, no. 3 (September 6, 2018): 456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.08.010.
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    • Marcogliese, Paul C., Vandana Shashi, Rebecca C. Spillmann, Nicholas Stong, Jill A. Rosenfeld, Mary Kay Koenig, Julián A. Martínez-Agosto, et al. “IRF2BPL Is Associated with Neurological Phenotypes.” Am J Hum Genet 103, no. 2 (August 2, 2018): 245–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.07.006.
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    • Dial, B. L., and R. K. Lark. “Pediatric proximal femur fractures.” Journal of Orthopaedics 15, no. 2 (June 1, 2018): 529–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jor.2018.03.039.
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    • Sprague, Sheila, Paul Tornetta, Gerard P. Slobogean, Nathan N. O’Hara, Paula McKay, Brad Petrisor, Kyle J. Jeray, et al. “Are large clinical trials in orthopaedic trauma justified?” Bmc Musculoskelet Disord 19, no. 1 (April 20, 2018): 124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-018-2029-3.
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    • Maher, Keila M., Kwadwo Owusu-Akyaw, Jingzhu Zhou, Mary Cooter, Allison K. Ross, Robert K. Lark, and Brad M. Taicher. “Analysis of the impact of race on blood transfusion in pediatric scoliosis surgery.” Paediatr Anaesth 28, no. 4 (April 2018): 352–60. https://doi.org/10.1111/pan.13352.
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    • Pena, Loren D. M., Yong-Hui Jiang, Kelly Schoch, Rebecca C. Spillmann, Nicole Walley, Nicholas Stong, Sarah Rapisardo Horn, et al. “Looking beyond the exome: a phenotype-first approach to molecular diagnostic resolution in rare and undiagnosed diseases.” Genet Med 20, no. 4 (April 2018): 464–69. https://doi.org/10.1038/gim.2017.128.
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    • Halawi, Mohamad J., Robert K. Lark, and Robert D. Fitch. “Neuromuscular Scoliosis: Current Concepts.” Orthopedics 38, no. 6 (June 2015): e452–56. https://doi.org/10.3928/01477447-20150603-50.
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    • Lark, Robert K., Adam M. Caputo, Christopher R. Brown, Keith W. Michael, Julie K. Thacker, and William J. Richardson. “Distant Harrington rod migration 35 years after implantation.” J Clin Neurosci 20, no. 10 (October 2013): 1452–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2012.08.019.
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    • Bertrand, Todd, James R. Urbaniak, and Robert K. Lark. “Vascularized fibular grafts for avascular necrosis after slipped capital femoral epiphysis: is hip preservation possible?” Clin Orthop Relat Res 471, no. 7 (July 2013): 2206–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-012-2781-x.
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    • Ledford, Cameron K., James A. Nunley, Nicholas A. Viens, and Robert K. Lark. “Bovine xenograft failures in pediatric foot reconstructive surgery.” J Pediatr Orthop 33, no. 4 (June 2013): 458–63. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0b013e318287010d.
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    • Mayer, Stephanie W., Braden K. Mayer, J. Mack Aldridge, James R. Urbaniak, Robert D. Fitch, and Robert K. Lark. “Osteonecrosis of the femoral head in childhood malignancy.” J Child Orthop 7, no. 2 (March 2013): 111–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11832-012-0471-6.
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    • Lark, Robert K., Burt Yaszay, Tracey P. Bastrom, Peter O. Newton, and Peter O. Harms Study Group. “Adding thoracic fusion levels in Lenke 5 curves: risks and benefits.” Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 38, no. 2 (January 15, 2013): 195–200. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182634c85.
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    • Lark, Robert K., John S. Lewis, Tyler Steven Watters, and Robert D. Fitch. “Radiographic outcomes of ring external fixation for malunion and nonunion.” J Surg Orthop Adv 22, no. 4 (2013): 316–20. https://doi.org/10.3113/jsoa.2013.0316.
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    • Dutton, Pascual, Eric W. Edmonds, Robert K. Lark, and Scott J. Mubarak. “Prevalence of painful peroneal tubercles in the pediatric population.” J Foot Ankle Surg 51, no. 5 (2012): 599–603. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2012.05.011.
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    • Bachrach, Steven J., Heidi H. Kecskemethy, H Theodore Harcke, Robert K. Lark, Freeman Miller, and Richard C. Henderson. “Pamidronate treatment and posttreatment bone density in children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.” J Clin Densitom 9, no. 2 (2006): 167–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocd.2005.11.003.
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    • Lark, Robert K., Cherise L. Williams, Diane Stadler, Sean L. Simpson, Richard C. Henderson, Lisa Samson-Fang, and Gordon Worley. “Serum prealbumin and albumin concentrations do not reflect nutritional state in children with cerebral palsy.” J Pediatr 147, no. 5 (November 2005): 695–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.05.029.
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    • Aris, Robert M., Gayle E. Lester, Melissa Caminiti, A Denene Blackwood, Margaret Hensler, Robert K. Lark, Travis M. Hecker, et al. “Efficacy of alendronate in adults with cystic fibrosis with low bone density.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med 169, no. 1 (January 1, 2004): 77–82. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200307-1049OC.
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    • Brown, S. A., D. A. Ontjes, G. E. Lester, R. K. Lark, M. B. Hensler, A. D. Blackwood, M. J. Caminiti, D. C. Backlund, and R. M. Aris. “Short-term calcitriol administration improves calcium homeostasis in adults with cystic fibrosis.” Osteoporos Int 14, no. 5 (June 2003): 442–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-002-1331-x.
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    • Henderson, Richard C., Robert K. Lark, Heidi H. Kecskemethy, Freeman Miller, H Theodore Harcke, and Steven J. Bachrach. “Bisphosphonates to treat osteopenia in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” J Pediatr 141, no. 5 (November 2002): 644–51. https://doi.org/10.1067/mpd.2002.128207.
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    • Henderson, Richard C., Robert K. Lark, Jamie E. Newman, Heidi Kecskemethy, Ellen B. Fung, Jordan B. Renner, and H Theodore Harcke. “Pediatric reference data for dual X-ray absorptiometric measures of normal bone density in the distal femur.” Ajr Am J Roentgenol 178, no. 2 (February 2002): 439–43. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.178.2.1780439.
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    • Aris, R. M., D. A. Ontjes, H. E. Buell, A. D. Blackwood, R. K. Lark, M. Caminiti, S. A. Brown, J. B. Renner, W. Chalermskulrat, and G. E. Lester. “Abnormal bone turnover in cystic fibrosis adults.” Osteoporos Int 13, no. 2 (2002): 151–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980200007.
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    • Lark, R. K., G. E. Lester, D. A. Ontjes, A. D. Blackwood, B. W. Hollis, M. M. Hensler, and R. M. Aris. “Diminished and erratic absorption of ergocalciferol in adult cystic fibrosis patients.” Am J Clin Nutr 73, no. 3 (March 2001): 602–6. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/73.3.602.
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    • Henderson, R. C., R. K. Lark, J. B. Renner, E. B. Fung, V. A. Stallings, M. Conaway, and R. D. Stevenson. “Dual X-ray absorptiometry assessment of body composition in children with altered body posture.” J Clin Densitom 4, no. 4 (2001): 325–35. https://doi.org/10.1385/jcd:4:4:325.
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    • Aris, R. M., A. R. Stephens, D. A. Ontjes, A. Denene Blackwood, R. K. Lark, M. B. Hensler, I. P. Neuringer, and G. E. Lester. “Adverse alterations in bone metabolism are associated with lung infection in adults with cystic fibrosis.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med 162, no. 5 (November 2000): 1674–78. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.162.5.2002100.
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    • Aris, R. M., G. E. Lester, J. B. Renner, A. Winders, A. Denene Blackwood, R. K. Lark, and D. A. Ontjes. “Efficacy of pamidronate for osteoporosis in patients with cystic fibrosis following lung transplantation.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med 162, no. 3 Pt 1 (September 2000): 941–46. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.162.3.2002051.
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  • Book Sections

    • Smith, B. G., and R. K. Lark. “Pediatric spine disorders and spine trauma.” In Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 12, 721–36, 2018.
    • Tao, M. A., and R. K. Lark. “Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in the athlete.” In Sports Medicine For The Orthopedic Resident, 29–49, 2016.

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