Lovelace Medical Group orthopedic surgeon first in New Mexico to perform procedure
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – July 25, 2025 – Lovelace Westside Hospital (LWSH) today announced it successfully completed the BEAR® Implant, a state-of-the-art treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, which enables the torn ACL to heal and restores the natural function of the knee, rather than replacing it with a graft. Tania Pence, DO, orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon with Lovelace Medical Group, implanted the first BEAR in the state of New Mexico.
Every year, approximately 400,000 ACL injuries occur in the U.S. A torn ACL does not heal without treatment, resulting in ACL reconstruction being one of the most common orthopedic procedures in the U.S. Yet the procedure has drawbacks; some procedures require two separate incisions, and some people who undergo reconstruction are unable to return to the same level of daily activities or sports.
During a traditional ACL reconstruction, the orthopedic surgeon completely removes the remaining torn ACL and reconstructs it with either a tendon from the patient’s own leg (called an autograft) or a deceased donor (called an allograft). About half of people who receive patellar tendon grafts experience pain while kneeling and those who receive hamstring grafts have persistent weakness – as much as a 50% deficit at two years after surgery.
Unlike reconstruction, the BEAR Implant does not require a second surgical wound site to remove a healthy tendon from another part of the leg or the use of a donor tendon. The BEAR Implant acts as a bridge to help ends of the torn ACL heal together. The surgeon injects a small amount of the patient’s own blood into the implant and attaches it between the torn ends of the ACL in a minimally invasive procedure.
“There are a number of advantages to restoring a ligament instead of replacing it, and the BEAR Implant is an exciting medical technology that has been clinically proven to enable a patient’s torn ACL to heal and to restore the natural function of the knee,” said Dr. Pence. “The combination of the BEAR Implant and the patient’s blood 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.”
“We are proud to be able to offer this innovative technology to our patients ages 14 and up at Lovelace Westside Hospital,” said Sherry Aragon, interim chief executive officer for LWSH. “The clinical studies have shown faster recovery of muscle strength and higher patient satisfaction than a traditional ACL reconstruction. This speaks to our commitment to providing the highest quality of care to the communities of Rio Rancho and Albuquerque’s Westside.”
To learn more about Lovelace Westside Hospital and its commitment to providing quality and state-of-the art surgical services care, please visit lovelace.com. To make an appointment with a Lovelace Medical Group orthopedic provider, please call 505-727-4430.
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Contact:
Whitney Alcantar, Lovelace Health System
whitney.alcantar@lovelace.com
Mobile: 505.903.0367
Lovelace Westside Hospital
Lovelace Westside Hospital (LWSH) just celebrated its 40th birthday of serving Rio Rancho and Westside residents of Albuquerque high quality, convenient care. The 92-bed acute care facility includes a 24-hour emergency department where patients typically see a provider in 30 minutes or less. LWSH has been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for its commitment to guideline adherence and quality improvement for stroke patients, earning the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke GOLD PLUS for four years in a row (2021 – 2024). The hospital offers services tailored to everyone in the family, including surgical services, sleep studies, a nationally-accredited bariatrics program and more. Money and the Leapfrog Group named LWSH to their list for 2022 Best Hospitals and Surgery Centers for Billing Ethics, showing its dedication to delivering the highest quality of care for patients, while ensuring adherence to the maximum ethical standards for billing. To learn more about the state-of-the-art treatment options, innovative health care providers and award-winning quality initiatives at Lovelace Westside Hospital, visit lovelace.com.
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