Higher Physiologic Platelet Counts in Whole Blood Are Not Associated With Improved ACL Cross-sectional Area or Signal Intensity 6 Months After Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair

Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes of Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration (BEAR)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current landscape of treating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears is rapidly evolving with the advent of the bridge-enhanced ACL restoration (BEAR). BEAR is a novel approach to restore the ACL in lieu of conventional reconstruction. BEAR has recently been approved for post-market use by all orthopaedic surgeons for midsubstance or proximal ACL tears. This article provides a review of the indications and outcomes of BEAR, graduating from the Trial 1 stage to the post-market stage, current operative techniques, and the postoperative rehabilitation protocol for BEAR.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current research demonstrates similar postoperative patient-reported outcome measures and functional outcomes following BEAR compared to ACL reconstruction in clinical trials. Combining all three BEAR trials, there was an aggregate re-tear rate of 15%. Our post-market published BEAR data shows non-inferior short-term postoperative PROMs and functional outcomes as well as zero re-tears. The early- and mid-term results of BEAR show that it is a potential alternative to ACLR for specific patient groups.

Optimizing outcomes of ACL surgery-Is autograft reconstruction the only reasonable option?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur at a high frequency in the United States with approximately 400,000 ACL reconstructions being performed each year. While ACL reconstruction is our current gold standard of treatment, it does not restore joint motion, or prevent the premature development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in many patients. Thus, new treatments for an ACL injury, which are less invasive and minimize patient morbidity, including cartilage damage, are highly desirable. We have used a tissue-engineered approach to stimulate ligament healing, to improve upon current treatment options. In this review, we describe and discuss our work moving a tissue engineering strategy from the concept to bench, preclinical, clinical trials and ultimately FDA 510(k) de Novo approval, providing clinicians and patients with a viable alternative to ACL reconstruction.

Fibrin-Based Biomaterial Systems to Enhance Anterior Cruciate Ligament Healing

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are a common and potentially career-ending injury, particularly for athletes and soldiers. Partial and complete ruptures of this ligament cause instability in the knee, and the ACL does not have the capacity for healing due, in part, to its position within the highly thrombolytic synovial fluid environment of the knee joint. Traditional methods of ACL reconstruction, such as graft replacement with attached bone anchors for bone integration, restore stability, but do not prevent the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. To enhance therapeutic treatment options, novel fibrin-based technologies and repair techniques have been recently explored and show promise for improved patient outcomes. Through modification of existing surgical methods, such as the use of fibrin glues incorporating growth factors and cells and the implementation of scaffolds containing platelet-rich plasma, platelet-rich fibrin, and other blood derivatives, surgeons are attempting to overcome the shortcomings of traditional treatments. This mini-review will detail current efforts using fibrin-based treatments and discuss opportunities to further enhance ACL healing.