Approximately 400,000 ACL injuries occur in the U.S. annually. However, for decades the most common orthopaedic treatment has been limited to invasive ACL reconstruction, which typically requires using tendons or a combination of tendons and bones harvested from patients’ bodies or cadavers to reconstruct the torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The newest technology in ACL reconstruction is using the body’s regenerative capacity to heal the damage without the need for reconstructive surgery. A company in Massachusetts has recently received FDA approval for an implantable system designed to stimulate healing of the torn ACL. The device is made of bovine collagen and is designed to be absorbed by the body in 8 weeks. Bridge Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) is indicated for skeletally mature knees with complete acute ACL tears. In a randomized controlled study of 100 patients comparing the use of BEAR with standard ACL reconstruction, outcomes were not significantly different for pain, knee function, sports activity, or laxity.
“Regenerative medicine and surgery is an exciting new field in musculoskeletal health and this represents another example of how we are learning to channel the bodies natural healing power to get restored tissue quality and normalized function,” according to Gregory Montalbano MD, Orthopedic Surgeon at iOrtho and faculty at the NYU School of Medicine. “I am looking forward to incorporating this technique into my practice of ACL injury treatment and believe based on the study performed this may be a powerful option for those knees with acute ACL injuries”.
Visit www.iorthomd.com today to learn more. iOrtho – Innovative Musculoskeletal Healthcare with a Focus on You.
Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) Implant
