Ankle Sprain and Instability Surgery
Chronic ankle instability is a condition characterised by a recurring giving way of the outer side of the ankle. This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains. Usually, the giving way occurs while walking or doing other activities, but it can also happen when you’re just standing.
Each subsequent sprain leads to further weakening (or stretching) of the ligaments, resulting in greater instability and the likelihood of developing additional problems in the ankle. There are two different types of surgical techniques used in the repair or reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex using keyhole surgery, which is also used to assess your ankle joint to establish if the cartilage is damaged.
ArthroBrostrum
The (arthroscopic) Arthro Brostrom method is a novel technique that allows the surgeon to use an arthroscope to perform a lateral ankle ligament reconstruction and repair that was previously only possible only through open surgical technique.
Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a fiber-optic viewing camera and small surgical tools to operate in and around the ankle joint through small incisions. And using the Artho Brostrum system and equipment it allows the ligament repair to be done at the same time if required.
As this is done using keyhole surgery, it allows the patient to be treated as a day case and improves the recovery time.
Internal Brace
This is an enhanced version of the Arthro Brostrum procedure, and although relatively new as a surgical technique it has become widespread very fast, based on its simplicity, the lack of postoperative external support braces and the fast recovery and good results.
The surgery is based on the traditional Broström operation where the sprain ligament is tightened using keyhole surgery, but instead of placing the ankle in a brace an internal bracing device is used within the foot – meaning it is tightened and reinforced by a synthetic ligament.