The TightRope ® device is a contemporary orthopedic internal fixation system for distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries, used instead of syndesmotic screws. Background/aim The distal tibiofibular joint is described as a syndesmosis. This type of surgery is usually performed under general anasthetic. Unlike syndesmotic screw, it does not need to be removed thereby preventing a second operation. A plate and screws is placed on the fibula after reduction and 2 Arthrex Tightrope is placed across the syndesmosis to maintain reduction. “The TightRope is a belt-and-suspenders type of of device that limits motion between the tibia (shin bone) and fibula (calf bone) at the ankle, essentially taking over the job of the ligament while it heals,” said Christopher Hodgkins, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. There is increased ankle motion in the TightRope group, suggesting that a potential advantage of that device is that it allows for more normal motion in the syndesmoses complex. tightrope ankle surgery. 2 doctors agree. TightRope™ Fixation for Ankle Syndesmosis. Case Discussion. Intraop, stress of the ankle reveals even more widening of ankle joint. I had a small linear tibia fracture and upper fibula fracture of my left leg on June 24th. 3 thanks. The ankle tightrope maintained satisfactory reduction in the ankle mortise in 97% of cases. The tightrope is a relatively new innovation in the treatment of high ankle sprains, in which ligaments and tissues around the leg bones, the tibia and fibula, are loosened and become unstable. Traditionally, severe syndesmotic injuries with diastasis have been treated surgically with screw fixation. Dr. Steven Frydman answered. 3. 0 comment. When using screw fixation, screws may be removed 16 weeks after the operation. Insertion of the TightRope is quick, reproducible, and without any major technical problems. Despite that right ankle giving him problems, Sanders put together a strong 2018 campaign before going down with the Achilles. Immediately after the surgery I had pain between my big toe and the second toe. The patients in the tightrope group had better range of motion than the screw … On July 6th my I had ankle tightrope surgery. The most common surgery for a broken ankle is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), which uses metal rods, plates and screws to realign your bone. This case series details an ankle syndesmosis tightrope repair and an accelerated rehabilitation protocol that reduces the amount of time to return to professional rugby league in the UK. Second, the implant has to be surgeon friendly from a technical standpoint. Q. Also … It can be used to repair a high ankle sprain, which damages the soft tissue structures between the tibia and fibula and causes these bones to separate. Recovery time for ankle tightrope treatment is shorter, with a published study finding that patients had higher functional scores at 3 months and at 12 months, with no loss of reduction on computer tomography examination. These generally stay in place even after your ankle has healed and are only removed if they cause any problems. The TightRope has allowed me to achieve immediate rotational stability of the ankle and lets me push earlier weight-bearing. It … There was also a small chondral defect on the talus. Depending why you had the durgery will depend the recovery time associated with it ... Read More. It can also be used to stabilize a fracture of the fibula. RECOVERY TIME FOR ANKLE TIGHTROPE. A 32-year-old member asked: how dangerous is ankle surgery? Depends: Ak=nkle surgery could be a tumor, fracture or a miriad of problems. Intraop immediate after ORIF (Now, the ankle joint is anatomic and symmetrical. This technique is used to stabilize an ankle after injury. 0.