For instance, these nerves are what makes it possible for you to touch your nose with your eyes closed. The joints rely on these nerves to fine tune the muscles' actions that allow the joint to properly function. A good physical therapy program will help retrain these nerves as they repair themselves, and will strengthen certain muscles that will take over some of the functions of stabilizing the ankle joint from the loss of the ligaments. An ankle brace may also help control some of the instability and prevent the ankle from giving way. If all these simple measures fail, surgery may be suggested to reconstruct the ligaments that have been torn.
Surgery involves making an incision on the side of the ankle.
A portion of the tendon called the peroneus brevis is used to reconstruct the lateral ligaments. A drill hole is made in the fibula, near the attachment the original ligament. A second drill hole is made in the area where the ligaments attached to the talus. The tendon graft is then woven into these holes to recreate the ligament complex. After surgery, you will usually be placed in a cast or brace for about 6 weeks to allow the tendon reconstruction to heal.