First patient undergoes new ‘BEAR’ procedure for torn ACL in San Diego County

Scripps Clinic is now the first in San Diego County to perform a groundbreaking new procedure to fix ACL tears. CBS 8’s Brian White sat down with Jenna Richardson, who underwent the procedure on Monday after tearing her ACL in July while mountain biking at Whistler Mountain in Canada.

“I came down this huge rock and my bike just kind of fell in a really weird way and my leg went with it,” said Richardson. “Super painful.”

Jenna found out she had torn her ACL, a ligament in her knee. For someone as active as she is, this was a problem. Traditional ACL reconstructive surgeries would call for tissue to be taken from other parts of her body or from a cadaver, and there can be some drawbacks.

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[azo]

It's great to see surgical procedures evolving. I hope that with techniques such as this, other types of tissue scaffolding, and stem cells research, people will be able to heal from all types of injuries.

[ArsenalForGood-gj]

i have an ACL tear and need surgery, what an inspiration, thank you! wish me luck!!!!

[pierceaero]

My transplanted ACL, torn on a mountain bike accident, broke the shin bone where it was anchored, 14 and a half years later, on another mountain bike accident. She won't have that risk. Yay for medical advancement and this Dr advancing it. I do want to tell her to be more careful but you know, mountain bikers.

[getdestroyed]

Trust that she will deal with arthritis. She’s been doing impact sports for a long time, she will feel it regardless. I had my ACL done almost 3 months ago. I can walk no problem, not cleared to hop, jog or run, but I’m doing p90x just fine with minor modifications. I used my quad tendon.

[tdhensen]

I am also a BEAR recipient! I am on my 4th week. I can now walk without crutches a little. I am still weaning. The brace is now set to full ROM, however I can’t bend past 95 degrees, still progressing. Overall a good experience, pretty much pain free. But like she says, it’s still a 9th month recovery for sports.

[jennlove-]

I tore my ACL on a trampoline, it's been 4yrs and I've been scared to do the surgery. My doctors wanna take from my hamstring to repair the tear 😢 I've suffered pain everyday from it and hope one day I'll decide to do the surgery. Something like this would be great for me. I'm gonna show my doctor and see what they say

[hotelvasthorizon]

Any follow up? I wonder how she's doing now. It's always the last run 😢

[conan]

Good luck- an ACL tear sucks. Es no bueno mi amigo.

[dkny]

Curious about the mechanics of this. The ACL and PCL are under high tension. How can proper function and healing be achieved without complete immobilization? With a graft repair, the risk of rupture is low even right after surgery. The focus is put on range of motion very early in the healing process

[TheMichaelJu]

I just injured my right knee in Whistler. I was given the same brand of knee brace and crutches. I can't use my US healthcare insurance and travel insurance directly in BC, Canada.

[shameronstar]

Now I know I wasn’t the only one who thought they were taking the ACLs from bears😂

[LoveyourzAF]

Can you get this if you've already got this surgery another way?

[viperneongaming]

As a person who sprained his knee skateboarding, knee pain is painful. So if, heaven forbid, I tore my ACL, this surgery is here.

[RadianceCOD]

But how will that thing repair a completely torn acl. As mentioned in the video, it sticks to acl and helps to recover. I guess this will only work on partial acl tears but not on the complete ones. PS: I had an acl surgery 5 years ago 👍

[samiramehr]

My mother-in-law has knee problems, can this procedure help her?

[lizM]

I’m 13 weeks post bear implant surgery for acl and meniscus tear and I still can’t get to 120 flexión nor 0dg extension even with pt why ? I’ve searched and searched for information no luck now my dr talking about possible mua which I don’t want to do bad as is this whole situation is painful now to have to go through an mua to have to start all over again is crazy!!!! What are my options?

[Vandinium]

Pain and popping sensation!? I’m back after 3 months workout surgery!

[MrErpolitics]

Seems feasible if the ligament is partially torn, but not if it’s completely torn (how could a sponge reattach a severed ligament?)

[imthiyaz]

I just torn my ACL in an accident in last week.

Still planning to choose one out there in market which has high success & recovery rate.

Any suggestions??

[shameronstar]

Theoretically this could work on shoulder, neck and back problems too?