5. New ACL Repair Methods
What It Can Do: Heals The ACL Without Graft Surgery
Discovered By: Martha Murray
Est. Cost: $20,000-$50,000*
Every year, more than 100,000 people in America tear one of their anterior cruciate ligaments, the stabilizing band that’s located in the front of their knee, that’s more commonly known as the ACL. Repairing the ligament has, historically, involved a grafting procedure and an extended recovery period that will, usually, take, at least, a year.
New ACL Repair Methods ©November27 / Shutterstock.com
Martha Murray, MD, Boston Children’s Hospital’s orthopedic surgeon-in-chief, has developed a way to, hopefully, eliminate the need for ACL graft surgeries, that was approved in December of 2020 – Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration (BEAR). This is done by placing a protein-based sponge, that’s been infused with the patient’s blood, between the damaged ends of an ACL, and using it as a bridge that will reconnect the torn ends.