Ankle Ligament Injuries
Ligaments on the outer (lateral) aspect of the ankle are commonly injured when ‘rolling’ (inverting) the ankle. This may occur on the sports field or missing a step.
It is associated with immediate pain, swelling, difficulty weight bearing and instability.
Non-surgical treatment:
Minor cases may need no formal treatment.
More severe cases should have a boot or brace that they can walk in for a few weeks, followed by a period of rehabilitation with balance and strengthening exercises.
If patients have ongoing instability and a sensation of the ankle giving way, then surgical stabilization is recommended.
Surgical treatment:
Lateral ankle ligament stabilization:
Anaesthetic: general or spinal anaesthetic
Duration in hospital: 0.5 days or overnight
During Surgery
You will have an incision on the outer (lateral) aspect of your ankle. Dr McGonagle will fix the ligaments back to the outer ankle bone (fibula) using suture anchors. He will augment the repair with a piece of adjacent connective tissue (extensor retinaculum).
After Surgery
You will be in plaster after surgery and be non-weight bearing with crutches for 6 weeks after surgery.
Wound check at 2 weeks and plaster change with practice nurse – Dr McGonagle
You will be on aspirin for 6 weeks to minimize the risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) and vitamin C to minimize the risk of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
After 6 weeks you can weight bear in a boot for several weeks, then mobilise out of the boot.
You will see a therapist to work on balance and strengthening exercises.
Expect a full return to sport around 6 months post-surgery.