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From Injury to Comeback:
ACL Surgery with the BEAR Implant

For high school senior Addie Lenderman, last year’s volleyball season had barely begun when everything changed.

During a hot, indoor preseason tournament in an un-air-conditioned gym, she landed from a hit onto a slippery floor and immediately knew something was wrong.

“I usually have a pretty high pain tolerance, but I was struggling,” Addie remembers. “It wasn’t like a regular injury. I knew it was something more.”

An MRI soon confirmed her fears. Addie had torn her ACL, as well as injured her meniscus and MCL. Just one week before her senior season, she faced the possibility of sitting out her final year of high school sports.

Addie met with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Eric Wicks with Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group. He discussed a new approach to ACL repair that had recently become available in Polk County — the Bear Implant (Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration.)

Eric Wicks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery,
Specializing in Sports Medicine

Unlike traditional ACL reconstruction, which requires replacing ligament with a graft, the BEAR Implant acts as a bridge between the torn ends of the ACL. Over time, the implant is absorbed by the body, leaving the patient’s own tissue in place.

“This new approach is the first innovation in ACL tear treatment in more than 30 years,” Dr. Wicks explains.

For Addie, that meant a chance at a faster, less invasive surgery and the opportunity to heal more quickly. Still, she wouldn’t know until the surgery whether she was a candidate.

Just days after surgery she began physical therapy. She spent six weeks on crutches and continued with therapy several times a week. Her therapy team pushed her through the basics at first, then gradually helped her regain her strength and confidence.

When I woke up and saw the ‘BEAR Implant’ teddy bear, I knew I had gotten it. I was so relieved and excited.

- Addie L.

Just days after surgery she began physical therapy. She spent six weeks on crutches and continued with therapy several times a week. Her therapy team pushed her through the basics at first, then gradually helped her regain her strength and confidence.

“They were so supportive,” she says. “They explained everything really well and even made it fun. They really wanted to help me achieve my goal of finishing the season with my team. It actually got me more interested in physical therapy as a possible career, too.”

Just a few months post-surgery, Addie was strong enough to step onto the court on Senior Night. She didn’t play a full match, but she served the ball once and scored an ace. Later that spring, she was able to return for a limited time for a game in her lacrosse season, with Dr. Wicks cheering her from the sidelines.

The recovery time with the BEAR Implant is remarkable. Addie returned to doing what she loved in only six months, a much shorter recovery period than what typically follows traditional ACL repair surgeries.

Now in college, Addie is again participating in activities she enjoys, from beach volleyball to intramural games with her friends. She no longer thinks about her knee when she is playing sports.

For other athletes facing the same decision, Addie doesn’t hesitate with her advice: “Would I recommend the BEAR Implant? Yes, 100%. I feel like it’s a great way to get back quickly and help you in the long run.”

Want to Make an Appointment?​

Call 863.284.6784.

Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group Orthopedics is proud to offer advanced surgical and non-surgical treatments, including the innovative BEAR Implant, to help patients return to the activities they love.

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