Fixing Crooked Ankles: A Closer Look at Ligament Release in Ankle Replacements

Ankle replacements are tricky when the ankle is really bent inward. Sometimes, the ligaments on the inside of the ankle are too tight. Doctors might cut these ligaments to straighten the ankle. But what happens after this cut? A group of researchers wanted to find out. They looked at 32 patients who had ankle replacements and needed these ligaments cut. All had ankles bent inward more than 10 degrees. The researchers checked X-rays before and after the surgery. They wanted to see if the ankle stayed straight and if the arch of the foot stayed strong. After a few years, most ankles stayed straight. The arch of the foot didn't change much. Only a few ankles needed more surgery. This shows that cutting these ligaments might be a good idea for really bent ankles. But, the researchers warn that more studies are needed. They only looked at a small group of people. Also, they didn't compare these patients to others who didn't have the ligaments cut. So, while this seems promising, it's not the final answer.