Susan Bertrand is a 59-year-old avid yoga and hiking enthusiast who tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while skiing with her family in Vermont. Patients her age are usually advised to either live with the pain of the torn ligament or get traditional anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery, even though there is a risk of arthritis in more advanced age groups. Feeling discouraged, she put off having ACLR for nearly 10 months. Knowing she was still apprehensive the day of surgery, her surgeon referred her to Dr. Marc Pietropaoli (Dr. P), orthopedic surgeon at Victory Sports Medicine & Orthopedics in Skaneateles, NY, to discuss other treatment options. We spoke to Susan about why seeking a less invasive option like the BEAR Implant was important, her recovery and how she’s doing since returning to her active life.

Q: How did you tear your ACL?

Susan: During a family ski trip in Vermont, I took a fall. Although it wasn’t an intense fall, it was hard enough that at my age, I ended up with full ACL and meniscus tears. I initially heard a pop and immediately knew something was wrong, so I waited in pain and shock until the medical team could put me in a sled down the mountain. I was bummed because I knew how an ACL tear could affect other parts of my body if I decided to get traditional surgery, and I wanted to be able to get back to my active lifestyle as quickly as possible.

Q: How did you learn about the BEAR Implant? Why was it the right choice for you?

Susan: After I learned I tore my ACL, I got several opinions from a few different surgeons. The consensus was that they generally don’t like to perform traditional ACLR surgery on older patients due to the risks of arthritis and lack of data on my age group. I felt discouraged because it seemed like my only option was either ACLR or living with the pain. I initially opted for ACLR but on the day of my pre-op visit, my surgeon sensed my hesitation and told me about Dr. P and how he was offering the BEAR Implant procedure, which could help regrow my own ACL. I appreciated my original surgeon’s honesty, so I canceled my ACLR surgery, booked a consultation with Dr. P and started researching the BEAR Implant.

Ultimately, I chose the BEAR Implant because it felt like the more natural and holistic option to me. I don’t like doing anything invasive to my body, so the idea of being able to regrow my own ACL without taking another part of my body like the patellar tendon was very appealing to me.

Q: Why was Susan a good candidate for the BEAR Implant?

Dr. P: Susan was a highly motivated and active patient who wanted a less invasive surgery than ACLR. She did not let her age get in the way of her doing what she wanted to do. Prior to meeting with me, she researched the benefits of the BEAR Implant thoroughly. We support our patients through our “Knee Repair, NOT Knee Replacement^TM” program, and the BEAR Implant fits under this program, helping patients to “keep their own parts.” What attracts many potential BEAR Implant patients like Susan to us is their desire to keep their own native ACL.

Q: What led you to start recommending the BEAR Implant as a first choice to your patients, regardless of their age or activity level?

Dr. P: We have been performing this surgery since October 2021. Over these past few years, we have seen that the BEAR Implant procedure can and does work well for all types of patients regardless of age, activity levels, types of tears and even concomitant damage such as meniscus tearing, etc. I recommend the BEAR Implant for any patient with an ACL tear as I believe repairing and restoring is the wave of the present and future. Hopefully the ongoing studies and research will also show that we can lessen or potentially prevent the “normal” post-operative arthritis we see in so many patients who undergo traditional ACLR.

Q: Can you tell us about rehab?

Susan: My rehab experience went very smoothly. In addition to physical therapy with Dr. P’s office, I also went to my local YMCA to work out in the heated therapy pool and indoor cycling. I’m an avid cyclist who is used to doing 100-mile bike rides, so I wanted to make sure I was still able to perform the circular motion while biking. Physical therapy is hard work, especially since you are required to wear a large, intrusive brace for the bulk of it; however, I was all in and willing to commit to the process. I did push the limits a bit and went dancing in Vegas while on a trip for my son’s lacrosse team – I wore my brace the entire time and focused on the healing of mind, body and spirit.

Dr. P: Susan progressed with her rehab and activities a bit quicker and sooner than we would normally recommend – such as dancing in Las Vegas at three months post-surgery. However, she still followed the BEAR Implant rehab protocol and returned to hiking and yoga at a similar timeframe compared to patients who have had ACLR. Just like any surgery or any procedure, if you have a motivated patient like Susan who is going to work hard, not choose short cuts and not expect a “quick fix.” then it should result in good outcomes.

Q: Can you tell us about your return to sport experience?

Susan: I was cleared to return to yoga at nine months post-surgery and then returned to hiking at the one-year mark. I have been hiking and practicing yoga for 10 years. After completing rehab, I was most excited about going on a walk with my dog without worrying about limping or being uncomfortable. I was also able to get back into yoga with modifications and attended a yoga retreat where I did a headstand on my own! It was an accomplishment to be able to participate in every aspect of the yoga retreat.

Q. What have you learned through this process?

Susan: As I am turning 60, I have learned to have more respect for my body. As I get older, I realize my ligaments and joints are not as strong as they used to be, so I need to be committed to staying active so I can continue to hike, yoga and bicycle for as long as I can. These activities are a huge part of what I enjoy in my life and doing them with friends and family is how we connect. Today, I am still retraining my brain to walk properly without a limp. Physically, I know I can walk without one, so it really is a mental aspect I need to overcome. I have also learned the importance of getting multiple opinions when looking into treatment options for injuries. At my age, patients typically either live with the pain after an ACL injury or opt for ACLR. I believe in the healing power of our bodies and am grateful the BEAR Implant allowed me to naturally regrow my own ACL. I have full confidence in my knee, and I don’t feel any restrictions from my body.

Learn more about the BEAR Implant and find a surgeon

The BEAR Implant is available across the U.S. Learn more about the BEAR Implant or find a surgeon in your area. If you’re a BEAR Implant patient and would like to share your story, click here.

The BEAR Implant from Miach Orthopaedics was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2020. It is indicated for adults, adolescents and children with a complete or partial rupture of the ACL, as confirmed by MRI. Patients must have an ACL stump attached to the tibia to construct the repair. Children with open physes must have sufficient bone in the femoral and tibial epiphyses on either side of the intended tunnel locations to avoid disruption of the growth plates.

It is important to follow the BEAR Implant physical therapy program. Your surgeon can explain the program details.

Be sure to discuss your individual symptoms, diagnosis and treatment with your surgeon. The BEAR Implant has the same potential medical/surgical complications as other orthopedic surgical procedures, including ACL reconstruction. These include the risk of re-tear, infection, knee pain, meniscus injury and limited range of motion.

Visit www.miachortho.com for complete product information, including Instructions for Use.

ML-1182 Rev A 8/2024