Our Favorite BEAR® Implant News Stories You May Have Missed
Throughout 2024, patients who have received the BEAR® Implant for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears have shared their ACL injury and recovery journeys – and orthopedic surgeons have discussed the benefits of restoring the natural function of the ACL – in news stories across the U.S. Read on for a round-up of some of the top stories from the year to learn about how the BEAR® Implant is helping real patients return to the sports and activities they love following an ACL tear.
1. New BEAR procedure could help heal torn ACLs more naturally
After tearing her ACL while skiing, Tory Waldstein chose the BEAR Implant over ACL reconstruction (ACLR) surgery and is now back on the slopes. “I am back to doing pretty much everything I was doing before,” Waldstein says. Dr. Kai Mithoefer, orthopedic surgeon at New England Baptist Hospital, performed her surgery. “The BEAR Implant restores function and the ability to return to normal activities more naturally,” he says.
2. Cedar Valley surgeon performs new ACL procedure giving patients hope
Madison Dickey tore her ACL when she fell off a cow, and she traveled from Minnesota to Iowa to get the BEAR Implant. “I wanted the most natural and comfortable thing that would allow me to go forward in life without any pain,” she says. Dr. Rafael Serrano is the first Iowa surgeon to perform BEAR Implant surgery. “Historically, we have treated those injuries with reconstruction, which essentially we take graft from the patient or the donor and we put in the knee as a new ACL. But with this new technique we are able to save this new ACL,” he says.
3. Nebraska Medicine doctors perform new form of ACL surgery
Cheyenne Janicek was the first person in Nebraska to undergo the BEAR procedure after tearing her ACL playing soccer. “I’d say no complaints, I’m very blessed that I’m able to still be active and that the BEAR really worked for me,” Janicek says of her recovery. Her surgeon Dr. Matthew Tao with University of Nebraska Medical Center says Janicek is proof that the BEAR Implant does work and works well. “I think the exciting thing about BEAR is that it’s keeping your own ACL and fixing it or repairing it back into place, and it has this little biologic augment that helps it to heal,” Dr. Tao says.
4. Erie Co. man becomes first local resident to receive cutting edge ACL procedure
Farmer Arthur Miller fell off a combine and knew instantly he had a major injury; it ended up being a torn ACL. He became the first person in Erie County, Pennsylvania, to receive the BEAR Implant. When asked about the most important part of his recovery, he says, “Being able to get back to work and get back to the family farm.” Dr. Joshua Tuck, an orthopedic surgeon at Millcreek Community Hospital, says the BEAR Implant is cutting edge. “For the first time we’re able to repair a patient’s ACL tear without the need for reconstruction,” he says.
5. New ACL implant brings hope to Philadelphia high school quarterback in recovery process
Mahir Jordan, 17, tore his ACL playing football. The high school quarterback has high hopes of playing college football and making it to the NFL. “I hope when I come back, I’m the same person I was before,” Jordan says. Dr. Sean Waldron at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia repaired his knee with the BEAR Implant. “We’ve never had any way of getting the ACL to heal itself,” he says. “It gives you better knee biomechanics during the rehab process and getting back to sports.”
6. BEAR Implant preserves the ACL
Kelis Guzman, 16, tore her ACL playing a friendly game of soccer. She chose the BEAR Implant for her ACL surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in hopes of playing soccer in college. “There is some data that shows by preserving as much of the patient’s native ACL, you are also preserving some of those proprioceptive fibers that help with keeping a knee more stable,” says Dr. Amit Merchant.
7. Doctors say new ‘BEAR’ procedure could be future of ACL reconstruction
Meggan Mosyjowski injured her ACL earlier while skiing. As she discussed surgery options with her doctor, she learned about the new BEAR Implant procedure. “I have confidence that the ACL will be strong and repaired to do the activities that I do,” she says. Dr. Christian Sybrowsky of Granger Medical Center in Utah performed her surgery. “This really is the frontier and the future of ACL surgery,” he says.
8. How a marshmallow-sized implant is helping people heal ACL injuries
Holly Reitsema, a professional freestyle skiing athlete and coach, tore her ACL when she hit a jump. “After hitting the slopes for the first time [after surgery], I was so proud that my knee didn’t tire out,” she says. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alex Meininger of Steamboat Orthopaedic and Spine Institute in Colorado thought she was an excellent candidate for the BEAR Implant. “I think the BEAR Implant has the potential to change the entire paradigm around ACL injuries,” he says.
9. Why is tearing your ACL so devastating?
In this article about ACL tears, Dr. Shawn Anthony of Mount Sinai Health System shares how the BEAR Implant has resulted in what he calls “a huge paradigm shift” in the treatment of ACL tears over the last few years. “Patients universally have said that six months out to one year out, their BEAR ACL repaired knee feels more natural, more stable,” he says.
10. Olympic athletes share heartbreak and comeback after ACL injury
This article in USA Today highlights how Olympic athletes have recovered from ACL surgery to return to their teams. The article discussed several surgical repair options, including the BEAR Implant.
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.
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