ACL & Knee Surgery in Bozeman and Big Sky, Montana
Dr. Brandon Beamer provides specialized knee ligament reconstruction and joint preservation for active patients in Bozeman and across Southwest Montana. From traumatic ski tears at Big Sky and Bridger Bowl to complex multi-ligament instability, care is tailored to anatomical stability and long-term joint health. As the first surgeon in Montana to perform Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration (BEAR), Dr. Beamer offers both restorative and anatomic reconstructive options.
First BEAR ACL Surgeon in MT
Teaches restorative technique nationally
Cornell, Harvard & Stanford
Former Asst. Team Physician, 49ers

Evaluating skiing knee trauma and complex ligament tears sustained at Big Sky Resort and Bridger Bowl.
Knee conditions evaluated and treated
Active lifestyles in Big Sky, Bridger Bowl, and the surrounding mountains present distinctive mechanical demands. Diagnostic evaluation focuses on identifying specific structural deficits, joint laxity, and concomitant cartilage or meniscus involvement.
ACL Tears (Skiing & Sports)
Anterior cruciate ligament ruptures frequently occur during downhill skiing bindings releases, phantom foot falls, sudden deceleration, or pivoting sports. Patients often describe an audible pop, acute swelling, and rotational instability.
MCL, PCL & LCL Injuries
Medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains and tears commonly accompany skiing trauma, while posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries often result from direct blows or severe knee displacement.
Multi-Ligament Injuries & Knee Dislocation
High-energy mountain accidents may involve disruptions of two or more major stabilizing ligaments. These severe injuries require prompt, meticulous neurovascular evaluation and comprehensive staged or single-stage reconstructive planning.
Meniscus Tears & Root Detachments
Tears of the medial or lateral meniscus can happen concurrently with ligament trauma or from acute twisting. Meniscus root detachments eliminate hoop stress resistance and require specialized anatomical repair to prevent accelerated joint wear.
Knee procedures offered
Surgical technique is matched to each patient's individual joint anatomy, activity demands, and tear pattern. Every approach prioritizes long-term cartilage preservation alongside robust stability.
Anatomic ACL Reconstruction
Restores rotational stability and native knee kinematics by placing a tendon graft into anatomical femoral and tibial footprints. Graft choice is tailored to patient age, activity level, anatomy, and athletic objectives.
BEAR ACL Restoration (First in Montana)
Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration utilizes a bio-engineered, resorbable protein implant combined with the patient's own blood to bridge the torn ligament ends and facilitate natural biological healing without harvesting a tendon graft.
Multi-Ligament Reconstruction
Surgical stabilization for severe injuries involving combinations of the ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL, and posterolateral corner. Staged or single-stage reconstructions address multi-planar knee laxity following high-energy trauma.
Meniscus Repair & Root Repair
Whenever technically possible, torn meniscal tissue is preserved and repaired rather than excised. Specialized inside-out, outside-in, or all-inside suture matrices, as well as transosseous root re-anchoring, protect articular cartilage.
What to expect: from injury to rehabilitation
Recovery timelines and surgical decisions vary based on the specific injury, patient age, tissue quality, and recreational goals. Dr. Beamer and his team provide clear, educational guidance at each stage of your care.
Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation
Care begins with a thorough in-person orthopedic examination, functional stability testing (such as Lachman and pivot-shift assessments), and review of high-resolution MRI imaging to accurately map ligament tears, meniscal integrity, and articular cartilage condition.
The Surgery Decision & Tailored Planning
Surgical intervention is not required for every knee injury. Together, you and Dr. Beamer review imaging findings, physical examination results, lifestyle demands, and athletic goals to discuss whether conservative management, anatomic reconstruction, or restorative surgery is appropriate.
General Recovery & Phased Rehabilitation
Postoperative recovery follows a criteria-based, phased progression. Early milestones emphasize swelling reduction, quadriceps activation, and restoring extension, followed by guided strengthening, functional movement retraining, and objective return-to-sport testing.

Bridger Orthopedic West Clinic · 3400 Laramie Drive, Bozeman, MT
Why choose Dr. Brandon Beamer for knee care
Dr. Beamer pairs fellowship-trained sports medicine expertise with a deep commitment to the Montana athletic community. Having cared for professional athletes with the San Francisco 49ers and college teams at Stanford and Montana State, he brings surgical precision to every patient seeking to regain knee stability.
Ivy League & Elite Sports Medicine Training
Medical degree from Cornell University, orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard, and a subspecialty sports medicine fellowship at Stanford University.
Pro & Collegiate Team Coverage Experience
Former Assistant Team Physician for the San Francisco 49ers and Stanford Athletics; currently serves as Team Physician for the Montana State Bobcats.
First BEAR ACL Surgeon in Montana
First orthopedic surgeon in Montana to perform Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration and actively teaches the procedure to fellows and attending surgeons nationally.
Local Leadership & Surgical Centers
Partner at Bridger Orthopedic and owner of Rocky Mountain Surgical Center in Bozeman, dedicated to serving Gallatin Valley and Southwest Montana.
Patient stories: ACL & knee recovery
Hear directly from athletes and active Montanans as they share their return to motion following advanced knee and restorative ACL procedures.
Kameron Conklin — BEAR ACL Implant Surgery Recovery
A competitive snowboarder's journey through Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration with Dr. Beamer.
Caden Dowler — ACL & Knee Injury Recovery Story
A patient testimonial on his knee injury and care experience with Bridger Orthopedic.
Ready to discuss knee restoration or surgical alternatives with Dr. Beamer?
Schedule a consultationFrequently asked questions about knee & ACL surgery
Clinical insights into ligament options, surgical candidates, and rehabilitation planning in Southwest Montana.
What is the BEAR ACL procedure, and how does it differ from reconstruction?
Do all ACL tears require surgical intervention?
How long after ACL surgery can an athlete return to skiing in Montana?
What types of autografts are offered for ACL reconstruction?
Can meniscus tears be repaired at the same time as an ACL procedure?
Where are consultations and surgical procedures performed?
Take the next step in knee stability & recovery
Whether you are facing an acute ski injury from Big Sky or exploring surgical second opinions for ACL reconstruction, Dr. Brandon Beamer and his team provide specialized orthopedic evaluation in Bozeman.
Bridger Orthopedic West Clinic · 3400 Laramie Drive, Bozeman, MT · Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM