An ankle Internal Brace is a band of strong suture placed across the tightened ankle ligaments for extra protection (
see image). It does not replace the ligaments.
This allows faster rehabilitation. It also improves the chance of successful surgery when ligament tissue is poor quality:
- people with generalised ligament laxity
- multiple sprains over years
- previous "failed" ankle stabilisation surgery.
Dr Beamond has been using this technique for over 10 years. He spent time with its inventor, Professor Gordon Mackay, in Munich during 2015. He teaches it to Australian orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore for Arthrex.
Not all ankles need an Internal Brace
at the time of stabilisation. This decision is usually made before surgery.