The Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration (BEAR) technique represents a new frontier for treating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, offering an alternative to traditional reconstruction. Recent data from the first 100 patients in the Bridge registry provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and safety of BEAR in real-world, post-commercial settings.
What Is BEAR?
BEAR is a surgical procedure designed to help the body heal a torn ACL using a special implant, rather than replacing it with a graft from elsewhere in the body. This means restoring natural tissue instead of reconstruction, which may preserve knee function and improve recovery for certain patients.
Outcomes After One Year
At just over a year post-operation, the majority of the first 100 registry patients showed excellent knee stability and range of motion. Re-operation rates were low—8.3% at one year, rising modestly to 11.5% at the final check-in. Most importantly, the risk of ACL retears was very low, with no retears in the first year and a 2.1% rate at final follow-up.
- Physical exam: 80% of patients had minimal (0-2 mm) laxity on Lachman testing, and 90% had no pivot shift at 12 months.
- Patient-reported scores: The mean International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 82.7; pain and daily living function scores were especially high, indicating robust recovery for most participants.
Safety and Adverse Events
Adverse events such as blood clots or meniscal injuries were rare. Technique modifications did not increase complication rates, and only two patients experienced recurrent ACL tears over the entire follow-up period.
What This Means for Patients
The results from this early real-world registry suggest BEAR is a promising option after ACL injury. Patients can expect high rates of knee function and stability with a relatively low risk of complications in the first year. BEAR isn’t for everyone, but for appropriate candidates, it could mean a faster, more natural recovery.
For those recently diagnosed with an ACL tear, options are evolving. We are seeing that BEAR offers reliable outcomes with low risks, making it an excellent alternative for many patients considering ACL surgery.
Read the study: Postcommercialisation outcomes of bridge-enhanced anterior cruciate ligament restoration: The first 100 Bridge registry patients
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