BEAR Implant

Let the Healing Begin

The BEAR Implant is the first medical advancement to enable your body to heal its own torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

That’s a big deal, because until now your ACL would have been replaced with either another tendon from your body or a tendon from a deceased donor.

The BEAR Implant is different because it works with your own blood to heal the torn ends of your ACL back together.

Patient Stories

Why can’t the ACL heal on its own?

A thick liquid – called synovial fluid – reduces friction between the bones when you move your knee. As important as this fluid is for proper knee function, it also prevents the formation of blood clots that are critical for healing.

The BEAR Implant acts as a bridge to help the torn ends of the ACL heal together.

Torn ACL

Surgeon adds patient’s own blood

Surgeon inserts BEAR Implant between torn ends of ACL

BEAR Implant is replaced with healed ACL

The BEAR Implant is designed to hold and protect your blood in the gap between the ACL ends to allow the formation of clot, which is necessary for healing.

How is the BEAR Implant different from reconstruction?

ACL tears are often treated with surgery called ACL reconstruction. During ACL reconstruction, an orthopedic surgeon removes your torn ACL and replaces it with a graft from another part of your leg (called an autograft) or a deceased donor (called an allograft). Although ACL reconstruction is effective, the procedure has drawbacks; many people are unable to return to the same level of daily activities or sports.

BEAR Implant

one surgical wound site to heal

remaining ACL tissue is preserved and your ACL is restored

ACL Reconstruction

two surgical wound sites (autograft) or one surgical wound site (allograft) to heal

remaining ACL tissue is removed and replaced with a graft

You may be a candidate for the BEAR Implant if you meet these criteria.

Are at least 14 years old and skeletally mature

Have a complete rupture of their ACL confirmed by MRI

Benefits of the BEAR Implant:

Helps your own ACL heal

Restores torn ACL quality and size similar to your non-injured ACL

Simple outpatient procedure

No need for grafts

  • No second wound site that needs to heal
  • No worries about donor graft quality or risk of disease

Faster recovery of muscle strength

Higher patient satisfaction with being ready to return to sports

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.

The BEAR Implant was cleared by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and is indicated for skeletally mature patients at least 14 years of age with a complete rupture of the ACL, as confirmed by MRI. Patients must have an ACL stump attached to the tibia to construct the repair.