Physical Therapist Zachary Mitchell underwent traditional ACL reconstruction after he tore his ACL 10 years ago playing rugby in college. When he experienced a second ACL tear in his other leg during a family soccer league game, he searched for alternatives to ACL reconstruction that would be less invasive.

His research led him to Dr. Richard Levine, a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, who was enrolling patients in the BEAR III label-expansion clinical study for the recently approved BEAR^® Implant. The implant is the first new treatment for ACL tears in more than 30 years and is different from other options because it enables the body to heal the torn ACL.

“This new technology is completely different in that it’s allowing the ACL to regrow,” Dr. Levine says. “The reason the ACL doesn’t heal is there’s fluid in the knee that blocks that healing response. This new approach uses an implant placed in the knee in the area of the torn ACL and adding the patient’s own blood to form a blood clot, which changes the environment in the knee and allows the ACL to regrow itself.” 

When Zachary found out about the BEAR Implant, he said it was “a no-brainer.”

Why can’t a torn ACL heal on its own?

The ACL is one of four ligaments within the knee that connects the femur to the tibia. It’s also one of the most commonly injured ligaments in the knee, particularly among athletes. There are approximately 400,000 ACL tears annually in the U.S. Surgery to treat ACL tears is one of the most common procedures that sports medicine surgeons perform.

Unlike many other ligaments in the body, the ACL does not have the ability to heal on its own. A thick liquid – called synovial fluid – reduces friction between the bones when the knee moves. As important as this fluid is for proper knee function, it also prevents the formation of blood clots that are critical for healing.

How does the BEAR Implant work?

The BEAR Implant acts as a bridge between two ends of a torn ACL, enabling the body to heal itself. As Dr. Levine shared, a small amount of your own blood is inserted into the implant, which is then placed between the torn ends of the ACL. The BEAR Implant holds and protects that blood to allow the formation of the clot that is necessary for healing.

After approximately eight weeks, the BEAR Implant is resorbed by the body and replaced with ACL tissue, which continues to strengthen over time.

While the recovery time is about the same as ACL reconstruction – 9-12 months – one of the reasons Dr. Levine recommends BEAR Implant is that he believes the long-term impacts are promising. Additional research is underway to confirm these early findings.

At about 6 months post-surgery, Zachary was very pleased that he chose the BEAR Implant this time around.

“I’m very functional and back to work full time and able to hike my dogs,” he shared. “Having less trauma inside the knee is a big deal.”

Learn more about the BEAR Implant

Find a surgeon who offers the BEAR Implant or discuss the option with your orthopedic surgeon.

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. If you’re a physical therapist and would like more information about the BEAR Implant rehabilitation program, click here.

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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