The ligaments in your foot and ankle consist of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The microfracture procedure can be performed arthroscopically on an outpatient basis., People with more extensive cartilage damage may benefit from a newer product called BioCartilage. Stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are new and exciting treatment options that patients can explore instead of surgery. It may create healing complications and other unknown risks. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The Pros and Cons of Ankle Fusion Surgery - Verywell Health Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. In: StatPearls [Internet]. The knees, hips, and the other ankle joint in particular are prone to more wear and this can create additional damage over time that may also need to be addressed. The ankle joint (tibiotalar joint) is where your shinbone (tibia) rests on top of a bone of your foot, the talus. Weisman MH, et al. Despite the high level of pain relief, there are drawbacks to ankle fusion that make it a less attractive option for some people. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 2018;35(4):467-79. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2018.05.006, Castagnini F, Pellegrini C, Perazzo L, Vannini F, Buda R. Joint sparing treatments in early ankle osteoarthritis: current procedures and future perspectives. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ", University of Michigan Health System: "Total Ankle Replacement.". Recovery times are invariably longer and require more extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation. In addition, many surgeons do not actually look at the MRI and rely on the radiologists report. Barg, A. Ankle Ligament Rupture; Ankle Sprain; Ankle Sprain and Achilles Tendon Sprain or Rupture; . Enduring Duration. A stable ankle reduces the risk of cartilage deterioration. Ankle fusion is a very effective surgery, albeit one that comes with risks. Houdek MT, et al. Many patients actually do not need ankle ligament surgery in order for their ankle ligaments to return to normal function. High-impact activities such as running and jumping can damage an artificial ankle joint. 1. Ankle arthroplasty, also known as an ankle replacement surgery, involves the replacement of parts to the fibula, tibia, and talus bones with a movable, artificial prosthetics. Patient health may not allow the surgery to be completed. And, your physical therapist will tell . possibility . Barbari SG, Brevig K, Egge T. Reconstruction of the lateral ligamentous structures of the ankle with a modified Watson-Jones procedure. It all comes down to the individual patient, some patients may see better outcomes for surgery while others will fair better with stem cell therapy. Ankle ligament reconstruction consists in reconstructing the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament of the external lateral ligament. If the healthcare professional does not have the correct information then there is no chance they can make the correct recommendation. 2. What are the Pros and Cons of Ankle Ligament Surgery?