Bridge Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR Implant Surgery)
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the primary stabilizers of the knee, providing the rotational control required for pivoting, cutting, and sudden changes in direction. ACL tears are among the most common knee injuries in the United States, affecting approximately 100,000 to 200,000 people each year — with athletes in high-intensity contact sports like basketball, football, and soccer at the highest risk. For decades, the only surgical option for a torn ACL was reconstruction: replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon graft harvested from another part of the body or from a donor. In December 2020, the FDA approved a breakthrough alternative — the Bridge Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) Implant — which allows the patient’s own ACL to heal without the need for a graft, preserving the native ligament and eliminating many of the complications associated with traditional reconstruction.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and one of the earliest adopters of BEAR implant technology in commercial practice. Widely recognized as one of the nation’s top ACL surgeons, Dr. Glashow was among the first surgeons in the country to perform an ACL repair using the BEAR implant after its FDA approval — giving his patients access to this breakthrough technique at a level of experience most practices cannot offer. With over 30 years of ACL surgery expertise, more than 15,000 procedures performed, and published research in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery on ACL and meniscal diagnosis, he brings both pioneering technique experience and deep clinical evidence to every BEAR evaluation. As Chief Medical Officer for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, he has treated ACL injuries at the highest levels of professional sport. Named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year since 2000, Dr. Glashow offers BEAR implant consultation and surgery at his Upper East Side practice in New York City.
Cutting Edge ACL Repair and Faster Recovery
The BEAR Implant is a resorbable implant made of bovine collagen. It is attached by sutures to bridge the gap between the damaged ends of a patient’s ACL.
During the surgical implantation operation, the patient’s own blood is put into the implant to generate a device-protected clot that activates the healing process. It is absorbed and overtaken by the body’s own tissue within two months of the BEAR implant surgery.
The BEAR Implant can be used on patients over 14 years old with a fully torn ACL, which can be seen on an MRI. For the repair, patients also need an ACL stump connected to the tibia.
Despite its effectiveness, traditional ACL reconstruction can have side effects due to its complexity. These complications are avoided with the Bridge Enhanced ACL Restoration procedure since it does not require tissue transplantation. Instead, it keeps the natural connections between the ACL and the knee joints and uses an implant filled with the patient’s blood to help the knee heal.
Scheduling a Consultation for BEAR Implant Surgery in New York
Although new to the medical field, this technique has already proven to be a groundbreaking addition. The BEAR implant offers new possibilities to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who suffer from ACL rupture each year.
One of America’s top orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Jonathan Glashow, who specializes in treating sports injuries with innovative joint treatments, recently treated soccer player and coach Adam Marcu with great success using the Bridge Enhanced ACL Restoration procedure. His surgical approach and rehabilitation strategy halved Mr. Marcu’s ACL injury healing time. However, only some people who tear their ACL are suitable candidates for the BEAR implant; thus, a preliminary consultation with Dr. Glashow is required.
Dr. Glashow has spent decades treating professional athletes and people from all over the world. During your meeting, he can evaluate your condition and medical history to see if the BEAR implant is a viable ACL tear reconstruction solution for you. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BEAR Implant
What is the BEAR implant made of?
The BEAR implant is a small resorbable device made of bovine collagen — a material that is well tolerated by the body and has been extensively tested for safety. The implant is designed to be absorbed by the body over approximately two months as the patient’s own ACL tissue grows across the gap and heals. By the time the body has reabsorbed the implant, the patient’s native ACL has reconnected and is supporting the knee.
How is the BEAR implant different from traditional ACL reconstruction?
Traditional ACL reconstruction replaces the torn ligament entirely with a tendon graft — taken from the patient’s hamstring, patellar tendon, quadriceps, or from a donor source. The BEAR implant instead preserves and repairs the patient’s own ACL by bridging the gap between the torn ends with a collagen implant saturated in the patient’s blood, allowing natural healing to occur. This preserves the native ligament, its proprioceptive function, and its original anatomic connections — advantages that are impossible to recreate with a graft.
Who is a candidate for BEAR implant surgery?
The BEAR implant is approved for patients aged 14 and older with a complete ACL tear confirmed on MRI. Candidates must have an ACL stump still attached to the tibia, and the procedure is typically most effective when performed within several weeks of the injury. Patients with chronic ACL tears, retracted ligament stumps, or certain complex injury patterns may be better served by traditional reconstruction. Dr. Glashow evaluates each patient individually to determine whether BEAR is the right approach.
What does recovery look like after BEAR implant surgery?
Recovery from BEAR surgery follows a structured rehabilitation protocol similar to traditional ACL reconstruction but often progresses more rapidly. Most patients begin physical therapy within the first week, advance through range-of-motion and strengthening phases over the following months, and may begin sport-specific training earlier than traditional reconstruction patients. Return to full competition typically occurs between six and nine months after surgery, though individual timelines vary. Dr. Glashow coordinates rehabilitation closely with physical therapists to ensure safe, progressive recovery.
Is the BEAR implant FDA approved?
Yes. The BEAR implant received FDA approval in December 2020 for the repair of complete ACL tears in patients aged 14 and older. It is the only currently available alternative to ACL reconstruction with autograft, allograft, or suture-only repair for complete ACL rupture.
Is the BEAR implant covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by insurance plan. Because the BEAR implant is FDA approved and has published clinical outcome data, many insurance plans now cover the procedure, though prior authorization may be required. Dr. Glashow’s office works with patients to verify coverage before surgery and accepts out-of-network insurance benefits to help ensure access to this advanced treatment option.
