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LOCAL SURGEON PIONEERING LATEST OPTION IN ACL RECONSTRUCTION

VINELAND, NJ (January 2, 2008)—Dr. Brad Bernardini, a board-certified sports medicine surgeon in Vineland, is offering patients with a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) a new alternative in arthroscopic reconstruction. The technique, referred to as the All-Inside ACL Reconstruction, reduces the incision length and is reported to decrease patients' post-operative pain. A reduction in post-operative pain allows patients to better endure rehabilitation programs which potentially lead to earlier range of motion and functionality. Currently, Dr. Bernardini is the only knee arthroscopy fellowship trained specialist in the region performing this minimally-invasive reconstructive procedure.

Traditionally, the ACL, which normally connects the tibia to the femur, is reconstructed by drilling a socket in the patient's femur (from the inside of the knee) and a tunnel in the tibia (from the outside of the knee). Once completed, a variety of different graft options can be used to connect the socket and tunnel and replace the torn ligament. The All-Inside technique differs by offering the surgeons a device that allows them to drill a socket in the tibia versus a complete tunnel. With a socket, the bone remains stronger and nerves in the bone and skin are not violated. Therefore, less pain is experienced.

 "This cutting edge technique provides the same overall outcome as a traditional ACL reconstruction," said Dr. Bernardini. "My patients will still have the same strength as the traditional ACL reconstruction but will receive the benefits of less post-operative pain and a more cosmetic incision site."

Dr. Bernardini specializes in injuries to the knee and shoulder. He also utilizes arthroscopic techniques in other joints such as the elbow, wrist, ankle and hip. His arthroscopic training was performed at the University of Connecticut, which is world renowned for its cutting edge research in the area of musculoskeletal repairs and reconstructions. Dr. Bernardini also completed an additional year of sports medicine training and specialized arthroscopic techniques at the Taos Orthopedic Institute in Taos, NM. 

Dr. Bernardini has been published in his field and has been honored for academic achievement. An ex-collegiate athlete and a sports enthusiast, he has served as a physician for multiple area teams as well as an orthopedic consultant for the United States Ski and Snowboard Team and World Wrestling Entertainment. He is a board certified member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American Society for Sports Medicine, the Wilderness Medical Society and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine.

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