ACL tears are an incredibly common injury. It’s much more common for women to tear their ACLs than men, and even teenagers often tear their ACLs. This video introduces a new technique we can use that show very promising results:
Quick Summary
ACL tears remain one of the most common sports injuries, and surgical technique continues to evolve. Newer approaches — including the BEAR implant for selected acute proximal tears, LET augmentation for high-risk patients, and refined quadriceps-tendon graft techniques — aim to reduce retear and protect the meniscus. The best technique is matched to the specific tear pattern, patient age, and activity level rather than applied universally.
ACL tears are an incredibly common injury. It’s much more common for women to tear their ACLs than men, and even teenagers often tear their ACLs. This video introduces a new technique we can use that show very promising results:
ACL reconstruction uses a tendon graft to replace the torn ligament. ACL repair — including the BEAR implant approach — preserves and heals the native ACL using a scaffold and the patient's own blood. Repair only suits select acute proximal tears with healthy remaining tissue, while reconstruction remains the standard for most chronic or distal tears.
Adding lateral extra-articular tenodesis adds about 20 minutes of operative time but typically does not extend overall recovery. Most patients follow the same return-to-sport timeline as standard ACL reconstruction. The LET is designed to protect the graft during high-pivot activities, particularly in younger athletes and revision cases where retear risk is elevated.
Computer-assisted and image-guided techniques can help with precise tunnel placement in complex or revision ACL cases. For most primary ACL reconstructions, careful arthroscopic anatomy and intraoperative landmarks remain the standard. I use advanced imaging selectively when the situation calls for it — the goal is the most accurate reconstruction for each patient, not technology for its own sake.
Dr. Sabrina Strickland sees patients at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. If you would like a personalized evaluation of your symptoms and options, request a consultation below.
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