Why the InternalBrace
Procedure?

What Sets the InternalBrace Technique Apart?

Chronic ankle pain and instability can be relieved, but not completely treated, with conservative treatments. Unfortunately, this means many people reduce or eliminate their favorite activities. In fact, more than 40% of patients who underwent traditional (Brostrom) surgery stepped down or abandoned athletic activities altogether.1 

If nonoperative options like rest, braces, and physical therapy have not helped, your chronic ankle instability may require surgery.  

The InternalBrace procedure is designed to help speed up the recovery process and allow immediate range of motion. This early postsurgical movement leads to a stronger, more stable ankle.2  

Even people who have already had ankle surgery can undergo the InternalBrace procedure. InternalBrace augmentation of a previous ankle ligament repair is a simple revision procedure that may help protect your ankle from future sprains.3

Chronic Ankle Instability Patients Recover Faster With the InternalBrace Procedure

The InternalBrace procedure accelerates recovery and rehabilitation2,4 to get patients back to their activities faster.

Postoperative management is patient-specific and dependent on the treating professional's assessment. Individual results will vary and not all patients will experience the same postoperative activity level or outcomes.

In laboratory studies, ankle ligaments repaired with InternalBrace augmentation were three times stronger than those repaired with standard ligament surgery (the Brostrom procedure) alone.3,5  

Stronger ligament repairs can support an earlier return to activity.4

How InternalBrace Ligament Augmentation Repair Works

The goal of surgery is to restore strength and stability to the ankle by repairing the injured ligament. 

Similar to how a seat belt acts in a car accident, InternalBrace ligament augmentation repair uses suture anchors that provide additional fixation points to hold the ligament to the ankle bone during the healing process. This supports your main (or primary) ligament repair procedure, potentially reducing your chances of future ankle sprains.2,3

How the InternalBrace Procedure Is Performed

The InternalBrace procedure is performed in an outpatient setting in less than an hour using these steps:

  1. Your surgeon makes a small incision on the outside of your ankle.
  2. They will use suture anchors to repair your torn ankle ligament. This is called the primary ligament repair procedure.
  3. The InternalBrace system supports the primary repair, which secures the soft tissue to the bone. The ligament is compressed against the bone using FiberTape® suture, which is composed of ultra–high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a strong, stress-resistant material.
  4. Your surgeon closes the small incision through which they performed the procedure.

Patient Stories

Leah's Story

Athletic trainer and former gymnast who underwent two ankle reconstructions with poor results prior to InternalBrace augmentation.

Caitlin's Story

Former soccer player and outdoor/running enthusiast who underwent two ankle surgeries before her InternalBrace augmentation.

Mike's Story

Firefighter who suffered a complete tear of his lateral ankle ligament when he stepped down from the truck onto a curb and rolled his ankle.

Estee's Story

Avid runner and skier who, after coping with ankle instability since high school, is back to having fun with her family after her InternalBrace augmentation.

Bethany's Story

Ultrarunner and mountain biker who experienced multiple ankle sprains before securing her repair with the InternalBrace procedure and getting back on the trails.

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