A new surgical technology is now being tested that promises to heal the ligament better than ever before compared with traditional techniques.
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is the stabilizing ligament in the knee joint. If it’s injured, playing sports – and even walking – can be downright painful if not near impossible. We treat ACL injuries all the time here at Texas Orthopedics. Sometimes physical therapy helps, but most often times, surgery is needed to repair it.
A new procedure developed at Boston Children’s Hospital, known as the Bridge-Enhanced ACL repair (BEAR), has orthopaedic surgeons excited about its possibilities. The BEAR technique uses sutures and a special protein-enriched sponge placed between the torn ends of the ACL to promote healing. The sponge is soaked with the patient’s own blood allowing a clot to form and encouraging new tissue growth to mend the tear.
Early results using this technique have been very promising, although it is still in an experimental phase and undergoing FDA testing. If this procedure becomes common, athletes can expect much smoother, and shorter, recovery times.
If you have suffered an ACL injury and are considering repair surgery, please contact us for an appointment.
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