Daniel Romanelli, MD, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, has become the first surgeon in Texas to surpass 100 bridge-enhanced ACL restoration, or BEAR, implant procedures, according to a June 3 report from MegaDoctor News.
Dr. Romanelli was also the first surgeon in the region to debut the BEAR procedure, and is one of five surgeons nationwide to surpass 100 procedures.
Dr. Romanelli operates on patients at DHR Heath Brownsville (Texas) Hospital and DHR Health Day Surgery in Edinburg, Texas.
The BEAR implant first earned FDA de novo approval in December 2020. It is a collagen-based implant used to facilitate healing of a torn ACL. Using the patient’s blood, the implant enables the body to heal the torn ends of the ACL back together while maintaining the ACL’s original attachments to the femur and tibia. As the ACL heals, the BEAR implant is resorbed by the body.
The BEAR implant allows patient’s bodies to heal on their own, preventing lengthy surgeries. In March, the FDA expanded its usage of the implant, approving it for patients of any age, including children and teens.
