Fax: (239) 692-9436
Tel: 239-430-3668Tore an ankle ligament that never felt right again? Lateral ankle ligament surgery rebuilds the ligaments on the outside of the ankle when repeated sprains have left the joint chronically unstable. The case below — an active patient who came to us for a third opinion after a reconstruction performed elsewhere failed — shows both how the procedure works and how we manage complications.
Why the Lateral Ankle Ligaments Matter
The outer ankle is stabilized by ligaments (most importantly the ATFL and CFL) that keep the ankle from rolling inward. After repeated sprains these ligaments can stretch out and stop holding, leaving patients with an ankle that gives way on uneven ground, recurrent swelling, and a fear of “rolling” it again. Left untreated, chronic instability accelerates cartilage damage and ankle arthritis.
This Case: A Third-Opinion Revision
Problem: the surgical wound would not close and continued to drain, and the ankle remained unstable.
How it was solved: we removed all of the prior non-absorbable braided internal stitches (fiberwire) used in the first repair, then power-washed the site with roughly 300 liters of pressurized saline to clear bacteria. The patient was referred to infectious disease for six weeks of IV antibiotics, and the ligaments were repaired with smooth, absorbable, antibacterial suture reinforced with an amniotic tissue graft where infected tissue had to be removed.
Discussion: infections happen even in skilled hands and seemingly sterile environments — microbes are everywhere. We have moved away from certain braided non-absorbable sutures because they can harbor bacteria and shield them from antibiotics. Importantly, lateral ankle ligament reconstruction is not technically difficult; most patients have enough of their own nearby tissue (a Broström-type repair) to rebuild the ligaments.
What Recovery Looks Like
Most patients spend a period in a boot or cast, then progress through physical therapy to rebuild strength, balance, and proprioception. The goal is a stable ankle that lets you return to activity with confidence.
For more information or to schedule an evaluation with a board-certified foot and ankle specialist, call (239) 430-3668 (FOOT) or book online at NaplesPodiatrist.com.
Serving Southwest Florida since 2005, Family Foot & Leg Center has 9 convenient locations throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties — Naples, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota. We provide pediatric to geriatric foot and ankle care: ingrown toenails, heel pain, bunions, foot & ankle arthritis, plantar fasciitis, foot & ankle surgery, custom orthotics, and diabetic wound care — with in-office X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound, and minor surgical suites. Home of the Lam Minimally Invasive No-Scar Bunion Surgery. Same-day appointments and easy online scheduling.
