Ankle ligaments are repaired by tightening them, often with stitches or anchors fixed to the fibula bone, and sometimes reinforced with other tissue or tendon grafts.
Ankle Ligament Repair Techniques
When ankle ligaments are damaged, surgical repair aims to restore stability to the ankle joint. Several techniques can be used, as highlighted below:
- Ligament Identification: The surgeon first identifies the damaged ligaments.
- Tightening: The ligaments are then tightened. This can be achieved through:
- Stitches: Direct suturing of the torn ligament ends together.
- Anchors: Small devices inserted into the fibula bone to which the ligament is attached. The ligaments are then secured to these anchors.
- Reinforcement: To further strengthen the repair:
- Stitching Other Tissue: Tissue near the repaired ligaments can be stitched over them to provide extra support.
- Tendon Grafts: In severe cases, tendons from other parts of the body may be used to replace the damaged ligaments entirely.
These methods aim to restore the original tension and stability of the ankle ligaments, preventing future instability and pain.
