Today, we’re talking about Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair or “BEAR”. The BEAR technique is a surgical alternative to ACL reconstruction, in which suture repair is combined with a specific extracellular matrix scaffold – termed the BEAR scaffold – which is placed in the space between the two torn ends of the ACL and activated with the patient’s blood. Our discussion today will focus on indications for use of the BEAR implant, the surgical technique, post-op recovery and clinical outcomes thus far.

We are joined today by Dr. Shawn Anthony, Associate Chief of Sports Medicine for the Mount Sinai Health System and Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Anthony is a orthopedic consultant for the US Tennis Association and provides side-line medical coverage at the US Open Tennis Championship each year. He has published extensively on the management of ACL injuries, so we’re excited to have him join for our discussion today on the Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair or “BEAR” technique.

In this episode, we discuss:
The clinical benefits of repairing the native ACL rather than reconstructing it with a graft.

The science behind the BEAR scaffold. How does it work?

The indications to proceed with a BEAR ACL repair. Type of tear / age of patient / time from surgery?

The surgical technique as well as tips and tricks to make the procedure go smoothly.

The postoperative recovery. How does rehabilitation differ from that of a traditional ACL reconstruction?

The clinical outcomes of the BEAR thus far. How does it stack up to ACL reconstruction in different types of patients?