Ligament Reconstruction Specialist

Center for Foot and Ankle Restoration

Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Dallas, TX, Fort Worth, TX, & Frisco, TX

Ligament reconstruction may be necessary if you severely injure or rupture any of the tendons in your foot or ankle. If you suffered from severe trauma or are experiencing foot or ankle pain, book an evaluation at the Center for Foot and Ankle Restoration in Dallas, Fort Worth, or Frisco, Texas, to see if surgical intervention is right for you. Schedule your ligament reconstruction evaluation with surgeons Charles Cook, MD, and John Noack, MD, by contacting any office by phone.

Ligament Reconstruction Q & A

Is ligament reconstruction right for me?

Your ligaments, which connect bones to other bones, are durable, band-like structures. When you have any kind of injury, the preferred treatment is generally a noninvasive, more conservative route. But sometimes, ligaments don’t respond to nonsurgical therapies or are too injured to heal on their own. 

If you tear any of the ligaments in your foot or ankle, such as your plantar fascia or lateral ankle ligament, you may experience:

  • Swelling, inflammation, or stiffness
  • Difficulty bearing weight on the area
  • Difficulty flexing or pointing your foot
  • Severe foot or ankle pain that worsens with activity

Severe ligament ruptures may leave you unable to walk. If any of these issues are affecting you, ligament reconstruction may be the best corrective solution. 

What happens during a ligament reconstruction exam?

When you visit the Center for Foot and Ankle Restoration for your ligament reconstruction exam, you meet with a leading orthopedic surgeon who carefully evaluates you to determine if surgery is right for you. During your ligament reconstruction exam, your doctor may:

  • Talk with you about your symptoms
  • Manipulate your foot to check your range of motion
  • Look at images, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI

If you and your orthopedist decide that ligament reconstruction is the best option, they talk with you about how to prepare. Because ligament reconstruction involves grafting and repairing tissues that typically bear weight, it’s important to prepare yourself to stay off your feet for an extended period of time. 

What is the recovery like after ligament reconstruction?

Unless you have unique health concerns, ligament reconstruction is typically an outpatient procedure. It’s important to have someone available to drive you home and stay with you to help support you for a few days. 

Your orthopedic surgeon at the Center for Foot and Ankle Restoration usually wants you to rest and to keep your foot elevated for the first few days to minimize swelling — you’ll be wearing a supportive splint. Use crutches or a knee roller or scooter to help you get around, so you won’t have to put weight on your foot. 

Typically, you need to come back to the clinic about 10-14 days after your ligament reconstruction surgery for follow-up care and to remove your stitches. After several weeks, you may get a cast or removable boot to keep your foot and ankle in proper alignment after you heal. 

While full recovery from foot or ankle ligament reconstruction can take 6-12 months, your orthopedist has you undergo physical therapy along the way. Ongoing physical therapy is important to promote healing and to improve your range of motion.

The Center for Foot and Ankle Restoration is home to top-ranked orthopedic surgeons who can help you throughout every stage of your ligament reconstruction. Call any clinic to book your exam today.