University Orthopedics Teams with Boston Children’s Hospital on ACL Repair Trial

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University Orthopedics Teams with Boston Children’s Hospital on ACL Repair Trial

University Orthopedics has partnered with Boston Children’s Hospital to perform a trial on ACL repairs using a new procedure called BEAR.

“We are now in our third clinical trial and we feel that University Orthopedics and Rhode Island Hospital are a perfect fit to continue this research. Doctors Hulstyn, Fadale and Owens have extensive experience in ACL surgery and we are excited to have them join this study,” said Dr. Martha Murray, one of the doctors responsible for developing the procedure.

BEAR Trial

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According to University Orthopedics, every year, approximately 400,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur.

ACL reconstruction is one of the most common orthopedic procedures of the United States and is the standard treatment for the torn anterior cruciate ligament. During an ACL reconstruction, an orthopedic surgeon removes the ends of the torn ACL and replaces them with a graft, usually with patellar or hamstring tendons from the patient’s knee.

The new technique, bridge enhanced ACL repair (BEAR), uses stitches in a bridging scaffold (a protein sponge injected with the patient’s blood) to stimulate healing of the torn ACL.

University Orthopedics’ Dr. Michael Hulstyn was the first to perform the surgery at Rhode Island Hospital.

“Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is the standard of care for a torn ACL with high patient satisfaction and outcomes, but carries the long-term risk of graft failure and knee post-traumatic degenerative arthritis. The BEAR procedure allows reattachment of the native ligament and is less invasive than reconstruction surgery. The goal is for a faster recovery time and return of knee stability with high patient satisfaction, and hopefully less chance of arthritis 15 to 20 years down the road,” said Hulstyn.

The goal of the current study is to analyze the BEAR procedure and more patients to determine if patient age contributes to the success of the procedure. Up to 250 patients will be enrolled at University Orthopaedics /Rhode Island Hospital and at Boston Children’s Hospital.


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