Ankle ligament reconstruction surgery
Ankle ligament reconstruction repairs or rebuilds damaged ligaments to create a more stable ankle and reduce repeated giving way.
Ankle ligament reconstruction surgery overview
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that hold the ankle bones together. Repeated sprains can stretch or tear the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, leaving it painful, weak or unstable. Surgery may be recommended when physiotherapy, bracing and other treatments have not provided enough stability. The aim is to restore support so you can walk, exercise and change direction with greater confidence.
How is surgery carried out?
The procedure is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic. Your surgeon may first use keyhole surgery to inspect and treat any damage inside the ankle joint.
The damaged ligaments are then tightened and reattached to the bone through a cut on the outside of the ankle. If the existing tissue is not strong enough, a tendon graft may be used to rebuild the ligaments.
Are there any risks?
Possible risks include:
- Infection or problems with wound healing
- Damage to nearby nerves, causing numbness or tingling
- A blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT)
- Ankle stiffness or ongoing swelling
- Continued pain or instability
- The repair stretching or failing following another injury
Your specialist will talk you through your individual risks before surgery.
Recovery from ankle ligament reconstruction surgery
Protecting the repair
Your ankle will usually be in a plaster cast and you will keep your weight off the operated foot. Raise your foot regularly to reduce pain and swelling.
Returning to walking
You will usually move into a supportive boot and gradually begin putting weight through the foot. Your specialist will advise when you can return to normal footwear.
Rebuilding stability
Physiotherapy will focus on strength, balance and controlled movement. Most everyday activities return before sport, which requires additional rehabilitation and testing.
Working with foot and ankle professionals and teams
Our foot and ankle specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their feet and ankles. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Foot and Ankle treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Ankle ligament reconstruction surgery FAQs
You can consider driving when you are out of your boot, walking comfortably and able to perform an emergency stop safely. You should ask your specialist and confirm that your insurer is happy for you to drive.
Desk-based work may be possible after two to four weeks if you can keep your foot raised. Work involving prolonged standing, walking or manual activity may require six to 12 weeks or longer.
Low-impact exercise usually begins before running and changing-direction sports. A full return to sport often takes around four to six months, depending on your progress and the demands of your sport.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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