Top Ways an Orthopedic Surgeon Can Repair Ankle Injuries
When an ankle injury makes everyday movement painful or impossible, the best orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco offers a range of advanced surgical options for ankle repair to restore strength, stability, and mobility. This guide breaks down the most effective repair techniques that can help you get back on your feet.
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That sudden twist, fall, or impact can leave you with more than just a sore ankle; it can mean broken bones, torn cartilage, or an unstable joint that makes even standing painful. Ankle injuries are the most common musculoskeletal injury, with around 2 million reported annually. Many come with additional cartilage damage or bone defects that complicate recovery.
When non-surgical treatments like bracing, physical therapy, or rest are unable to restore alignment, stability, or pain control, surgery is often necessary. In San Francisco, you can find a full spectrum of repair and reconstructive strategies, including everything from fusion to ligament augmentation.
Keep reading to find out what repair options may be right for you, what the pros and cons are, and where to find the best orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco to get you back on your feet.
Joint Salvage via Ankle Fusion
Joint salvage through ankle fusion is often the last line of defense when other treatments can’t restore comfort or function. Surgeons typically recommend fusion for patients with severe ankle arthritis, major joint destruction, or large cartilage defects that haven’t responded to bracing, injections, or joint-preserving procedures.
During ankle fusion surgery, the damaged cartilage is carefully removed, and the joint surfaces are prepared so the bones can fuse together as one solid structure. Screws, plates, and sometimes bone grafts are used to hold the ankle in the correct position, and many surgeons now perform this procedure through minimally invasive or arthroscopic techniques to reduce tissue damage.
Cartilage Repair and Loose Body Removal
Cartilage repair and loose body removal are designed to restore a smooth, pain-free surface inside the ankle joint. Damage often occurs when cartilage and underlying bone are injured or as loose fragments of cartilage or bone that float in the joint, causing painful clicking, swelling, or even locking when you try to move.
To fix this, surgeons often use minimally invasive arthroscopy to remove loose pieces and clean up ragged cartilage.
For smaller lesions, a microfracture technique is performed, creating tiny holes in the bone to release marrow cells that form new cartilage-like tissue.
For larger cartilage defects, an OATS procedure, also known as an osteochondral autograft transfer, is often recommended. During this procedure, plugs of healthy cartilage and bone are transplanted from another part of the joint or a donor to rebuild the damaged region.
Tendon and Ligament Repairs
Tendon and ligament repairs focus on restoring strength and stability to an ankle that has been weakened by injury. These surgeries are often recommended for patients with a torn or ruptured Achilles tendon, whether from a sudden injury during sports or a chronic tear that hasn’t healed, or for those with chronic ankle instability caused by repeated sprains that have stretched or torn key ligaments. Achilles tendon repair can be done through an open incision or smaller, minimally invasive approaches, using strong sutures to reconnect the tendon and sometimes adding grafts or synthetic reinforcement.
For unstable ankles, surgeons may perform a Broström procedure to repair and tighten the stretched ligaments, often combining it with an internal brace to reinforce the repair and allow for earlier movement. The main advantage of internal bracing is a potentially faster recovery and quicker return to sports or daily activities, but it can be more expensive and carries a small risk of over-tightening the joint or causing irritation.
Fracture Repair and Deformity Correction
Fracture repair and deformity correction are critical when the ankle’s bones are broken, misaligned, or causing pain. Surgeons treat everything from simple fractures to complex, comminuted fractures that shatter the joint surface or involve the talus and plafond. They also address deformities like Haglund’s deformity, a bony bump at the back of the heel that irritates the Achilles tendon, and painful bone spurs or impingements that block normal motion.
Surgical repair often involves open surgery, where the bones are realigned and held together with plates and screws to restore joint congruency and prevent long-term arthritis. For Haglund’s deformity, the excess bone is carefully removed or reshaped. Decompression procedures can be done arthroscopically or through a small incision to remove bone spurs and free up motion. The goal of all these interventions is to restore normal anatomy, protect joint function, and prevent arthritis down the road.
Choosing the Right Ankle Repair
Choosing the right ankle repair relies on choosing the right orthopedic surgeon for the job. Expert-level orthopedic surgeons consider several factors before recommending surgery, including whether the damage involves cartilage, bone, ligaments, or tendons, how severe it is, and whether it’s a fresh injury or a chronic condition that has worsened over time. Age, activity level, overall health, blood supply to the area, and even your goals, whether you want to return to competitive sports or simply walk without pain, also guide the decision.
What to Expect When Recovering from Ankle Repair Surgery
Once surgery is complete, a personalized rehabilitation plan is key to success. Some procedures require weeks of non-weight bearing with crutches, while others allow early partial weight bearing or use of a brace to encourage movement. Physical therapy focuses on restoring motion, strength, and balance while preventing stiffness. Most patients experience significant pain relief and improved stability, though full recovery can take months.
Where to Find the Best Orthopedic Surgeon in San Francisco for Ankle Injury Repair
A serious ankle injury can stop life in its tracks, which is why choosing the right surgeon matters just as much as the repair itself. At our innovative orthopedic clinic, Dr. James Chen combines his fellowship training, expertise in sports-related injuries, and mastery of minimally invasive techniques to give our patients the best chance of a smooth and successful recovery.
Dr. Chen believes in treating the whole person, not just the injury, and he spends meaningful time before and after surgery answering questions and guiding patients through every step of the process. Our San Francisco clinic is designed for comfort and efficiency, featuring on-site imaging and access to a team that remains accessible by phone and email. Our patient-first approach ensures you never feel rushed or left in the dark.
Ready to see the best orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco for the latest technology to minimize incisions and speed healing?
