When a patient has an ACL tear that requires surgery, the traditional procedure is an ACL reconstruction, which utilizes a graft to reconstruct the torn ligament. While effective, there are drawbacks to this procedure.
Dr. Scott Sigman offers an alternative to traditional ACL reconstruction: the BEAR ACL implant. The BEAR implant is a first-of-its-kind option that allows the body to heal its own ACL, without the need for a graft.
How does the BEAR ACL implant work?
A torn ACL won’t heal on its own due to a thick liquid in the knee called synovial fluid. While synovial fluid serves an important role in reducing friction in the knee, it also prevents the formation of blood clots that are necessary for healing the knee injury.
The BEAR implant bridges the torn ends of the ACL and is designed to hold and protect blood within the space between the two torn ends. This allows for the formation of clots, so that the torn ACL can heal.
What are the differences between BEAR ACL surgery and traditional ACL reconstruction?
During ACL reconstruction, the surgeon will either take a graft from another part of the leg (called an autograft) or use a donor graft (called an allograft), remove the torn ACL, and replace it with the graft. Although it is effective for fixing the tear, many patients are unable to return to the same level of activity they had before the injury.
During a BEAR ACL procedure, Dr. Sigman adds the patient’s own blood to the space between the torn ends of the ACL. He then inserts the BEAR implant, which will hold the blood in place to allow the formation of healing clots. This allows the torn ends of the ACL to heal without the need for a graft.
What are the benefits of BEAR ACL surgery?
There are several ways that patients can benefit from BEAR ACL surgery with Dr. Sigman.
- It helps to heal the patient’s own ACL, eliminating the need for a graft
- Because a graft is not needed, patients do not have to worry about a second healing site for autografts. For donor grafts, this eliminates concerns about graft quality and disease risk.
- The torn ACL is restored to a similar quality and size as it was pre-injury.
- Patients are able to recover muscle strength more quickly.
- It is a simple outpatient procedure.
- There is a higher level of patient satisfaction with being able to return to previous activity and sports.
Who is a candidate for BEAR ACL surgery?
Dr. Sigman evaluates each patient on an individual basis to determine whether or not they are eligible for BEAR ACL surgery.
In general, patients must be at least 14 years of age, skeletally mature, and have a complete ACL rupture confirmed by MRI.
BEAR ACL Surgery with Scott A. Sigman, MD
Dr. Scott Sigman is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in sports medicine, and has provided orthopaedic care to several teams at the collegiate and professional levels, including the US Ski Jump Team, UMASS Lowell, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, LA Angels, LA Kings, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, LA Galaxy and USC football.
Dr. Sigman is also committed to advancing the field of orthopaedic surgery, having contributed to numerous publications and research studies, as well as giving presentations, lectures, and instructional courses worldwide. He stays informed on all of the latest developments in the field of knee surgery, including the BEAR ACL implant, and incorporates these advances into his practice when he feels there is a true benefit to patients.
Schedule a Consultation for BEAR ACL Surgery in North Chelmsford, MA
If you would like to learn more about BEAR ACL surgery with Dr. Scott Sigman and find out if you are a candidate for this procedure, please contact our office at (978) 454-0706.