As a junior in high school and the quarterback of his high school football team, Mahir has important decisions to make on the field. What he did not expect was the decision he was going to have to make off the field after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a regular season game.
After the injury and an initial examination from his pediatrician, X-rays, and an MRI, Mahir was referred to Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, where he visited with Sean Waldron, M.D., pediatric orthopedic surgeon, for further evaluation and treatment.
When choosing a care plan for your child, there are many factors to remember, such as recovery time and the need for physical therapy. He and his family wanted to make sure that Mahir was choosing the best option for his recovery, which is why he decided to receive the BEAR (Bridge Enhanced ACL Repair) Implant Surgery.
The BEAR Implant acts as a bridge to help the ends of the torn ACL heal together. This innovative device is the first medical advancement approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enable the body to heal its own torn ACL. Shriners Children’s Philadelphia is one of the few pediatric orthopedic hospitals to offer this new technology.
As part of our wrap-around care model, our onsite physical therapists work closely with our doctors and then with their patients and families to create rehabilitation plans customized for each patient and their goals.
It is essential for us as therapists to not only guide them through rehab, but also continuously remind them to be patient with themselves and their bodies as they heal.
“When I got injured, I panicked at first. I did not think I tore my ACL, after two months of physical therapy, I’m making great progress,” said Mahir.
Mahir’s end goal is to get back on the football field for his senior year. But for now, he is supporting his team by attending practice every day, and has a strong support system from his coaches, teammates, and family behind him.
If your athlete has an ACL injury, call 215-430-4000 to schedule a consultation to determine if they might be a good candidate for the BEAR Implant.
Mahir is working on rebuilding his strength through various strength training exercises.
Mahir is working on stabilizing his leg using a sports balance trainer.
Sarah, physical therapist, works with Mahir on some agility ladder exercises to help improve his speed.
Mahir is working on another strength training exercise during his session.
