Hello Ski Community,
As many may know, ACLs are a very common injury in the ski industry. A torn ACL always requires surgery to fix (unless you choose to go without an ACL) because there is no blood flow there. Traditionally, surgeons suggest you get a tendon graft (quad, hamstring, patellar) and reconstruct it into an ACL or surgeons would suggest an ACL cadaver. I would like to share another option for skiers to consider if they tear their ACL. It is called the BEAR Implant, and it allows a fully torn ACL to grow back together and heal itself. The surgeon takes a mesh sponge made out of collagen and other proteins and sews the torn ends of the ACL onto it. The surgeon then puts the patients blood onto the sponge which creates an environment for a blood clot to form. Over 8 weeks, the blood clot stimulates healing and the ACL grows back together through the sponge (the bridge). Then, the bridge/sponge dissolves and the knee is left with its original ACL tissue. It's a pretty cool solution considering all the ACL needs to heal is a blood clot.
I would like to share my experience for anyone who is considering this option for ACL surgery. I am happy to say I am now 2 years post BEAR Implant. I ski 10 months out of the year as a freestyle ski coach with Woodward Copper, skiing is my livelihood. I got the surgery with a US Ski Team Surgeon Dr Alex Meininger in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in May 2022. I was back skiing 8 months post op in January 2023 and skiing park in February. I believe they can't advertise that it could be a recovery shorter than 9 months but with proper dedicated rehab, it is possible to return to sport prior to what the rehab protocol advises with the BEAR Implant. When I woke up from surgery, I already felt instant relief that they opened up my knee and I was a good candidate for the BEAR Implant and that it was successful. I didn't feel any pain (probably because of medications) but was off meds by 2 weeks post op and still didn't feel any pain. This was a huge win for me after being told by my local surgeon that I would feel like I got hit by a train if I chose to get ACL reconstruction. My best friend who tore her ACL before me also was in SO much pain for weeks and weeks post op. The implant is quite delicate at first. I was on crutches for 6 weeks and had my brace locked at straight for 70% of that time. I was okay with this procedure requiring me to be on crutches for 6 weeks because I also tore my meniscus and was going to be on crutches no matter what ACL surgery I chose. Since I waited about 35 days to get surgery post injury and then was on crutches for 6 weeks, I did have some muscle atrophy that was challenging to rehab. I had a setback where my outer quad was stronger than my inner quad and caused some pain they called 'tracking.' This pain was not in my knee, but right above it in my quad. I was able to get through this but owe the credit to my incredible physical therapist. Beyond that, my recovery/rehab was smooth sailing. The BEAR Implant has allowed my knee to be back at 100% which is allowing me to reach personal and professional goals I set for myself in the ski industry. I would suggest finding out whether or not you will be on crutches for every ACL surgical option you are considering and let that be food for thought. A con is being on crutches for 6 weeks causing some muscle atrophy. A pro is that since I have my original ACL, I felt like I had my original proprioception- which is the body's ability to sense its position, movement, and action to be stable in space. The BEAR Implant has never been unsuccessful and is gaining traction for athletes in a wide variety of sports. If you do not want the BEAR Implant, I would still encourage you to get second or third opinions and explore your options. Most people go see their local surgeon who will sell their patients on the surgery they are best at, which might not be what's best for the injured patient who doesn't know they have options. If you would like to know more about my story,Feel free to google ' BEAR Implant - Holly's Comeback Story.' There is a video I have filmed and a written Q&A article with me and my surgeon. I am very proud to have pioneered this for the ski industry and been so successful!
As many may know, ACLs are a very common injury in the ski industry. A torn ACL always requires surgery to fix (unless you choose to go without an ACL) because there is no blood flow there. Traditionally, surgeons suggest you get a tendon graft (quad, hamstring, patellar) and reconstruct it into an ACL or surgeons would suggest an ACL cadaver. I would like to share another option for skiers to consider if they tear their ACL. It is called the BEAR Implant, and it allows a fully torn ACL to grow back together and heal itself. The surgeon takes a mesh sponge made out of collagen and other proteins and sews the torn ends of the ACL onto it. The surgeon then puts the patients blood onto the sponge which creates an environment for a blood clot to form. Over 8 weeks, the blood clot stimulates healing and the ACL grows back together through the sponge (the bridge). Then, the bridge/sponge dissolves and the knee is left with its original ACL tissue. It's a pretty cool solution considering all the ACL needs to heal is a blood clot.
I would like to share my experience for anyone who is considering this option for ACL surgery. I am happy to say I am now 2 years post BEAR Implant. I ski 10 months out of the year as a freestyle ski coach with Woodward Copper, skiing is my livelihood. I got the surgery with a US Ski Team Surgeon Dr Alex Meininger in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in May 2022. I was back skiing 8 months post op in January 2023 and skiing park in February. I believe they can't advertise that it could be a recovery shorter than 9 months but with proper dedicated rehab, it is possible to return to sport prior to what the rehab protocol advises with the BEAR Implant. When I woke up from surgery, I already felt instant relief that they opened up my knee and I was a good candidate for the BEAR Implant and that it was successful. I didn't feel any pain (probably because of medications) but was off meds by 2 weeks post op and still didn't feel any pain. This was a huge win for me after being told by my local surgeon that I would feel like I got hit by a train if I chose to get ACL reconstruction. My best friend who tore her ACL before me also was in SO much pain for weeks and weeks post op. The implant is quite delicate at first. I was on crutches for 6 weeks and had my brace locked at straight for 70% of that time. I was okay with this procedure requiring me to be on crutches for 6 weeks because I also tore my meniscus and was going to be on crutches no matter what ACL surgery I chose. Since I waited about 35 days to get surgery post injury and then was on crutches for 6 weeks, I did have some muscle atrophy that was challenging to rehab. I had a setback where my outer quad was stronger than my inner quad and caused some pain they called 'tracking.' This pain was not in my knee, but right above it in my quad. I was able to get through this but owe the credit to my incredible physical therapist. Beyond that, my recovery/rehab was smooth sailing. The BEAR Implant has allowed my knee to be back at 100% which is allowing me to reach personal and professional goals I set for myself in the ski industry. I would suggest finding out whether or not you will be on crutches for every ACL surgical option you are considering and let that be food for thought. A con is being on crutches for 6 weeks causing some muscle atrophy. A pro is that since I have my original ACL, I felt like I had my original proprioception- which is the body's ability to sense its position, movement, and action to be stable in space. The BEAR Implant has never been unsuccessful and is gaining traction for athletes in a wide variety of sports. If you do not want the BEAR Implant, I would still encourage you to get second or third opinions and explore your options. Most people go see their local surgeon who will sell their patients on the surgery they are best at, which might not be what's best for the injured patient who doesn't know they have options. If you would like to know more about my story,Feel free to google ' BEAR Implant - Holly's Comeback Story.' There is a video I have filmed and a written Q&A article with me and my surgeon. I am very proud to have pioneered this for the ski industry and been so successful!
