Valley View, the Roaring Fork Valley leader in healthcare technology, is pleased to announce that Orthopedic Surgeon Tomas Pevny, MD, is now offering the BEAR (Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration) Implant, one of the first disruptive technology in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear treatment in more than 30 years.

Transforming how this common, mountain community injury is addressed, the BEAR Implant enables a torn ACL to heal and restores the natural function of the knee. It is a paradigm shift from the current standard of care, ACL reconstruction, which replaces the ACL with a graft. With no large incisions required, the BEAR Implant offers less pain, reduced need for medication, and a faster recovery compared to traditional ACL reconstruction.

“We are proud to offer the BEAR Implant as a minimally invasive option for treating ACL tears,” said Dr. Pevny. “Reconstruction used to be the gold standard, but with this new technology, there is a renewed interest in repair, preserving one’s own anatomy and avoiding possible further damage to the knee. If we can help patients return to work or activity faster due to less pain, less need for medication and quicker recovery, that’s a big advantage.”

The BEAR is a bovine collagen-based sponge that bridges the torn ends of the ACL and promotes healing. Surgeons inject a small amount of the patient’s own blood into the implant before positioning it between the ACL’s torn ends. The combination of the implant and the patient’s own biological healing factors allows the ligament to regenerate naturally while preserving its original attachments to the femur and tibia. Over time, the implant is absorbed by the body.

For patients with partial ACL tears, treatment options have traditionally been limited to physical therapy, bracing or full ACL reconstruction. The BEAR Implant provides a ligament-preserving surgical option that stabilizes the knee while retaining the remaining healthy ACL tissue.

The BEAR Implant has recently also gained approval for use in adolescents and children with either partial or complete ACL ruptures. Experts anticipate that this new approach to ACL repair will continue reshaping the standard of care, providing a more natural and less invasive option for patients of all ages.

The new approval carries special significance for pediatric patients, as ACL reconstruction presents challenges for children due to their open growth plates. The BEAR Implant offers a less invasive alternative that works with a child's developing musculoskeletal system.

“Historically the ideal patient is someone in their 30s to 50s but now it’s been approved for younger adolescents,” explains Dr. Pevny. “Anyone who has decent quality tissue of their ACL is a candidate for it. With this implant, it may continue to improve the health of the knee in younger athletes for years to come.” 

ValleyOrtho’s team of board-certified surgeons, physician’s assistants, athletic trainers and nurses provide high-quality, evidenced-based, musculoskeletal care to their patients. The team’s areas of expertise include knee, shoulder, hand & wrist, elbow, hip, foot & ankle, joint replacement, sports medicine, fracture management, acute and chronic injury management, and beyond.

Part of Valley View, ValleyOrtho is committed to being the trusted leader in innovative, quality-focused, comprehensive musculoskeletal care in Aspen, the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. ValleyOrtho has offices in Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Willits, Eagle and Silt. ValleyOrtho also provides world-class orthopedic surgery at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs and the Valley View Surgery Center in Basalt.

For more information about ValleyOrtho, part of Valley View, visit vvorthocare.org.