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ACL Reconstruction, Repair or Regrowth…which is right for you? Chris Antonelli has worked with a lot of BEAR implant patients for several years. Thank you, Miach Orthopedics, for pushing progress.
Chris Share your AT Story?
Purdue for undergrad
Baseball injuries led me to discover sports medicine
Worked with a bunch of sports in college
During undergrad
Offer outreach AT services
Bare bones:
What is BEAR, and why should an athlete choose it?
It is not a reconstruction; it is a repair technique.
Decreased pain
Less swelling
Earlier function
Feel better earlier
The Ben version:
Is skeletal maturity a strict requirement? How does it look in adolescents?
It is now approved for skeletally immature
Exercises? Any differences in 0-6weeks?
First 4 weeks, they are partially weight-bearing instead of full weight-bearing
The ligament is weaker at first
Limit the flexion range of motion
They will be braced for 6 weeks, and then a functional brace
Does it affect quad inhibition?
They feel really good, really early.
Quads are fantastic, really on.
What does the evidence say about timelines and re-tear compared to autografts?
After the first 12 weeks, it is pretty much the same as others, with a 9-12 month full return to participation.
Slower, more conservative.
BFR and NMES for the first 8 weeks
Once they have a good ROM, load them with an open kinetic chain.
LAQ with BFR.
12 weeks, I do some isometric testing
Patient education –
Educate and measure swelling
Unable to get to full TKE
It looks like meet boiled spaghetti, but we want it to become unboiled
What about 5-10 years out?
We still need more cases and research,h but it looks good with what we have
What research is lacking that we should keep an eye on?
Specific ACL autograft techniques vs BEAR
Is BEAR becoming more accessible? Does insurance affect who can get it?
No insurance issues with BEAR implants
It is being sought out by a lot of people, and until recently, it was not available for high school students.
More surgeons are learning the technique and process.
Contact:
Chris Antonelli cantonelli42@gmail.com
Miach Ortho –
Ben Stephenson
Jeremy
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