what is tightrope ankle surgery

Tightrope ankle surgery is a technique used to stabilize the ankle after an injury, specifically a high ankle sprain or a fracture of the fibula. The surgery involves the use of a device called the TightRope, which is made by Arthrex, an orthopedic implant company. The TightRope system anchors the ends of the tibia and fibula together with a braided polyethylene cord, rather than with a rigid surgical screw, to restore the original position of the bones and to allow for proper healing. The fixation is flexible, which eliminates the need for a second surgery to remove the surgical screws that previous repairs may have required. The TightRope allows the syndesmosis to be stabilized in a flexible manner, keeping the natural motion between the tibia and fibula, which allows for earlier weight-bearing and return to motion and activity. The surgery is performed by an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon, who evaluates the patients injury through a patient history, a physical exam with stress testing of the syndesmosis, and weight-bearing x-rays. The surgeon may also use more advanced imaging such as a CT scan or an MRI to diagnose the injury. The TightRope implant stabilizes the ankle and serves as a replacement ligament while the native syndesmotic ligaments heal. The surgery is an attractive option for athletes, as it can shorten rehabilitation times and allow them to return to sport more quickly.