Orthopedic Sports Medicine · Bozeman & Big Sky

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

Downhill skier carving through powder in Montana demonstrating knee biomechanics and rotational stability
Alpine Knee Preservation · Gallatin Valley

Evaluating skiing knee trauma and complex ligament tears sustained at Big Sky Resort and Bridger Bowl.

Clinical Indications

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.

Primary Ligament Injury

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.

Typical presentation: Rotational twisting and hyperextension during skiing or cutting maneuvers.
Collateral & Posterior Ligaments

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.

Typical presentation: Valgus or varus stress, direct anterior tibial blows, and high-energy impacts.
Complex Joint Trauma

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.

Typical presentation: High-speed ski collisions, motorized backcountry trauma, or severe hyperextension.
Shock Absorption & Cartilage Protection

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.

Typical presentation: Deep flexion, compression loading, and twisting under joint load.
Surgical Capabilities

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.

Personalized Autograft

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.

Technical focus: Patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, and hamstring autografts with precision tunnel drilling.
Resorbable Implant · Native Healing

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.

Technical focus: Preserves native nerve fibers and proprioception; Dr. Beamer teaches the technique nationally.
Complex Trauma

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.

Technical focus: Meticulous anatomical alignment, tension balancing, and joint congruency restoration.
Joint Preservation

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.

Technical focus: Circumferential stitch matrices, transosseous tunnel root fixation, and biologic marrow venting.
Care Pathway

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.

01

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.

Individual progression discussed with your surgeon
02

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.

Individual progression discussed with your surgeon
03

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.

Individual progression discussed with your surgeon
Dr. Brandon Beamer performing arthroscopic surgery in an operating room setting
Surgical Faculty & National Instructor

Bridger Orthopedic West Clinic · 3400 Laramie Drive, Bozeman, MT

Surgical Expertise

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.

Real Patient Experiences

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.

BEAR Implant

Kameron Conklin — BEAR ACL Implant Surgery Recovery

A competitive snowboarder's journey through Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration with Dr. Beamer.

ACL & Knee Care

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 consultation
Common Questions

Frequently 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?
Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration (BEAR) uses a resorbable, protein-based scaffold soaked with the patient's own blood to stimulate native ligament healing. Unlike traditional ACL reconstruction, BEAR does not require harvesting a tendon graft (such as patellar or hamstring tendon) and preserves the original ligament fibers and nerve receptors.
Do all ACL tears require surgical intervention?
Not every ACL tear requires surgery. The decision depends on knee stability, physical demands, age, and whether concurrent meniscal or cartilage damage is present. Patients desiring to return to cutting sports, alpine skiing, or heavy manual labor often opt for surgical stabilization, whereas lower-demand lifestyles may sometimes be managed with structured physical therapy.
How long after ACL surgery can an athlete return to skiing in Montana?
Returning to skiing at Big Sky or Bridger Bowl is typically evaluated around 9 to 12 months post-surgery, though individual recovery timelines vary. Clearance depends on objective functional strength testing, limb symmetry, balance, and surgeon evaluation rather than simply the number of months since surgery.
What types of autografts are offered for ACL reconstruction?
Dr. Beamer performs anatomic reconstructions utilizing patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, and hamstring autografts. Graft selection is individualized during your surgical consultation based on joint anatomy, athletic pursuits, prior knee history, and personal preferences.
Can meniscus tears be repaired at the same time as an ACL procedure?
Yes. When a meniscus tear occurs alongside an ACL rupture, both procedures are commonly performed during the same operation. Repairing the meniscus helps preserve natural joint shock absorption and protects long-term articular cartilage health.
Where are consultations and surgical procedures performed?
Clinical evaluations and follow-up visits are conducted at Bridger Orthopedic West Clinic located at 3400 Laramie Drive in Bozeman, Montana. Outpatient surgical procedures are typically performed at Rocky Mountain Surgical Center or local hospital partner facilities.
Serving Bozeman, Big Sky, Bridger Bowl & Southwest Montana

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