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Download our Guide for Parents for answers to commonly asked questions on restoring a child’s ACL with the BEAR Implant.
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"No one prepares you for watching your child go through this. Talking to a mom who'd already been there made all the difference."
Lauren, caregiver
Talk to a parent who's been in your shoes.
Chat with a Mentor*Quotes are from real PatientPartner mentors and mentees. All images are actor portrayals. Experiences are not specific to the BEAR Implant Mentor Program.
If your child has sustained a recent ACL injury, the BEAR Implant is an alternative to traditional ACL surgery that can set them up for long-term joint health.
ACL tears are often treated with a surgery called ACL reconstruction, where the surgeon replaces the torn ACL with a graft from another part of the leg. In children, the IT band is a common graft choice.
It works with your child’s own body to restore their own natural ACL, without the need for grafts. Your surgeon will use a special growth plate sparing technique to avoid disrupting the growth process.
The overall rehabilitation timeframe for BEAR is similar to ACL reconstruction, with patients returning to sport at around 9 months after surgery. The best way to support your child is to ensure careful compliance with the rehabilitation protocol.
Set your child up for a lifetime full of activity with their own natural anatomy.
Download our Guide for Parents for answers to commonly asked questions on restoring a child’s ACL with the BEAR Implant.
Click here to Download
“I wish I had the BEAR Implant in both knees. Even though my knee with ACLR is stable, it’s been two years and I’m still trying to get my muscle back in that knee.”
“Four years after my surgery, my BEAR Implant knee still feels exactly like my other non-injured knee. When I’m playing lacrosse, I don’t even think about which is which.”
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“I don’t think about my BEAR Implant knee anymore. I just know that I have two normal functioning knees, and I trust them to hold up.”
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“Getting the BEAR Implant has had a positive impact on my life. It’s amazing that this surgery helped me heal my ACL. I want to be an NFL star, and without the surgery, I could only be a water boy.”
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“I don’t have any issues with my BEAR Implant knee, and I don’t falter in my confidence. My life is exactly the same, and I’m able to do everything I did before my injury.”
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“I really don’t think of my ACL tear or my BEAR Implant knee at all. If I see someone with a knee brace on, it reminds me of what I went through, but otherwise my knee has no pain and is back to 100%. I trust it.”
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“My advice to others getting the BEAR Implant is to follow the rehab protocol to hit your benchmarks so you can get back to the sport you love as quickly as possible.”
Read MoreBe 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 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 rehabilitation program. Your surgeon or physical therapist can explain the program details.