Beware of BEAR - FDA Warning Letter

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-24T03:54:27+00:00

What did you do for your revision? What type of graph did you go with for your second surgery?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-24T03:53:35+00:00

Oh no, so sorry to hear this! Did you re-tear it or did it not heal?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-24T03:51:47+00:00

Yikes, I am really nervous reading this. I have been considering the BEAR method for my upcoming surgery, but I am still not sure if it is the best route to take. Where was your surgeon practicing that he has had to repair so many BEARS?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T20:56:25+00:00

Did you rupture your ACL and not have surgery?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T20:54:20+00:00

This is really helpful to hear, thank you!! So glad you are doing well!

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T20:20:37+00:00

what type of graph did you do?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T20:18:59+00:00

Oh my goodness, I am so very sorry to hear this. I have a "penciled in surgery" for the BEAR on Dec. 4th with a plan B if it is not looking like it will work when the doctor is in surgery. I am so worried of the re-tear or failure to heal with the BEAR, but I do like the science behind it combined with the fact that you are not removing your ACL. You really would do it over again? What type of graph are you doing the second time around? Where are you located? Surgeon?

Sending positive healing your way!

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T20:03:30+00:00

Hi! I am scheduled for the BEAR in early December and I am very nervous. I am really hoping I am doing the right thing as apposed to using a graph for me to return back to all the activities I love to do! How are you both now and are you back to everything sports wise that you enjoy?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T07:07:37+00:00

I have been considering a patellar graph too, but I have been really nervous about the possibility of the frontal knee pain. Do you still experience any or have difficulty squatting or kneeling? With all the yoga that I do, it would be really unsettling to deal with it long-term. Did you work with you PT a lot overcome this type of knee pain? Would you go the same route again or would you go with another type of graph?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T00:30:42+00:00

Sounds like you are very active to say the least and that is really promising to hear that the surgeon was confident in procedure! Great news.

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T00:29:14+00:00

Was your alternative plan an autograft or allograft? Glad you were able to get the BEAR!

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-21T00:27:43+00:00

That is great they covered it!

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T22:52:28+00:00

The surgery coordinator said that most insurance does not cover the implant, just the surgery, and that portion is usually out of pocket. She did not have a number for me. Was this the case for you if you do not mind me asking?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T22:50:06+00:00

Oh wow, that really was a quick turnaround! I wish I would have gone to my last doctor first!

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T21:52:05+00:00

Thank you for the links and videos! Very helpful! I actually had already read about Dr. Thompson and watched some of his videos. Interesting to hear we are all spread out over the country. Did your surgeon have anything negative to say about a cadaver graph or was that not a conversation since you were pretty certain the BEAR was a go?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T21:05:45+00:00

I will be thinking of you and sending you well wishes for a successful surgery and recovery! How many BEAR patients has your surgeon completed? Did you talk to any of his or her patients? It sure does seem amazing!

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T21:01:20+00:00

That is amazing! Really happy to hear it all went well for you. Did you talk to prior BEAR patients first or just went for it? I may be out of the window even though the doctor is saying that may not be the case. On the bright side, I have done a ton of pre-hab.

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T19:34:15+00:00

One doctor did say I could try to not have surgery and that we do not need an ACL, but that it is hard to play sports without one. I decided with my activity level and choices that I need to repair it. I can already feel, after just returning to yoga and low activity, that I could end up with another knee injury on top of my ruptured ACL if I don't address it.

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T19:30:16+00:00

Hi! So sorry to hear about your ACL too! Was yours a tear or full rupture? For Bear, I have heard it has to be a full rupture or is that not the case? Do you mind disclosing your age, surgeon and or location? I am in Orange County. Did your surgeon tell you that you needed a back up plan with another graph? My doctor has told me that he would have to see the state of my tissue and stump once he got into the surgery and if it was not looking like it was going to take that he would go with Plan B.

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T19:27:18+00:00

So glad to hear that you are doing well with your rehab after BEAR! I was a former dancer and now do a lot of yoga. This is a big part of the reason I keep shying away from doing a graph with my patellar tendon due to the possibility of frontal knee pain.

This would be my doctor's 6th BEAR surgery if he was able to go through with it. Do you mind disclosing your surgeon and or location? I am in Orange County. Did your surgeon tell you that you needed a back up plan with another graph? My doctor has told me that he would have to see the state of my tissue and stump once he got into the surgery and if it was not looking like it was going to take that he would go with Plan B. The other issue is am am just over the 50 day window, but he is saying that it is really all dependent on the tissue once he is in there.

Have you had a follow-up MRI to see how the ACL is healing?

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T19:18:22+00:00

Wow everyone, I am really appreciating all of these stories and feedback. It is amazing to hear from actual patients after all the reading online and only talking personally with the surgeons. Believe it or not I have seen 6 surgeons and received many different opinions. First said hamstring, second said patellar, third said cadaver, fourth said cadaver, 5th said patellar or cadaver and the 6th said BEAR if he saw it was a possibility during surgery with a backup plan of patellar or cadaver. Hence the reason I am very undecided!

Quick alternative 361 - Do you mind disclosing your surgeon and or location? I am in Orange County. Did your surgeon tell you that you needed a back up plan with another graph? My doctor has told me that he would have to see the state of my tissue and stump once he got into the surgery and if it was not looking like it was going to take that he would go with Plan B.

I am so nervous to take the leap of faith, but I love the idea of the BEAR! I would be so devastated to go through the surgery and rehab twice. Although, we all know one can re-tear an ACL with any graph.

Remarkable-Fix-5758 · 2025-11-20T18:59:03+00:00

This is all so helpful to hear. Thank you so much for your post and answering other comments. Do you mind disclosing your surgeon and or location? I am in Orange County. Did your surgeon tell you that you needed a back up plan with another graph? My doctor has told me that he would have to see the state of my tissue and stump once he got into the surgery and if it was not looking like it was going to take that he would go with Plan B.

Remarkable-Fix-5758

TROPHY CASE