Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists — Updated April 2026

Table of Contents

• What Is the Brostrom-Gould Procedure?
• Understanding Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability
• Who Needs Brostrom-Gould Surgery?
• Preoperative Evaluation and Imaging
• The Surgical Technique Explained
• Open vs. Arthroscopic Brostrom Repair
• Internal Brace Augmentation: Modern Enhancement
• Post-Operative Recovery Timeline
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Protocol
• Return-to-Sport Criteria
• Long-Term Outcomes and Success Rates
• Potential Complications and Risks
• PowerStep Insoles for Post-Surgical Recovery
• Doctor Hoy’s for Post-Surgical Pain Management
• DASS Compression for Surgical Recovery
• Complete Ankle Reconstruction Recovery Kit
• Most Common Mistake
• Warning Signs
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sources & References
• Video Guide
• Schedule Your Consultation
• Related Guides

If you’ve been told you need ankle ligament reconstruction, you’re probably experiencing the frustrating cycle of repeated ankle sprains, persistent instability, and the constant anxiety of your ankle “giving way” during everyday activities. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we understand how profoundly chronic ankle instability impacts quality of life — from limiting athletic participation to creating fear during something as simple as walking on uneven ground. The Brostrom-Gould procedure addresses this problem at its structural root, restoring the ligamentous stability that repeated sprains have destroyed.

What Is the Brostrom-Gould Procedure?

The Brostrom-Gould procedure is a surgical technique that directly repairs the torn or stretched anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) — the primary stabilizer against ankle inversion — and reinforces the repair with the inferior extensor retinaculum (IER), a fascial layer overlying the lateral ankle. The procedure was developed through two sequential innovations: Swedish surgeon Lennart Brostrom first described direct ATFL repair in 1966, and American surgeon Charles Gould added the IER reinforcement in 1980 to improve repair strength and reduce failure rates.

The combined Brostrom-Gould technique has remained the gold standard for lateral ankle instability repair for over four decades because it achieves three critical goals simultaneously: restoration of native ligament anatomy, reinforcement of the repair with adjacent tissue that doesn’t sacrifice other functional structures, and preservation of normal ankle range of motion. Unlike older reconstruction techniques that used tendon grafts routed through bone tunnels (the Evans, Watson-Jones, and Chrisman-Snyder procedures), the Brostrom-Gould repairs what’s already there rather than creating a non-anatomic checkrein that restricts motion.

The anatomic nature of this repair is its fundamental advantage. By restoring the ATFL to its original attachment sites on the lateral malleolus (fibula) and talus, the repaired ligament functions biomechanically like the original — providing stability through the ankle’s full range of motion without the artificial tightness or motion restriction that non-anatomic reconstructions create. This preservation of natural mechanics is why the Brostrom-Gould achieves such high patient satisfaction rates and successful return to sport.

Understanding Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) develops when repeated ankle sprains progressively stretch and weaken the lateral ligament complex — primarily the ATFL and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) — beyond their capacity for self-repair. Each sprain event creates ligament elongation and microstructural damage. While the body’s healing response restores some integrity, the repaired tissue is weaker and longer than the original, creating a progressively looser ankle joint with each subsequent injury.

The condition has two components: mechanical instability (actual ligament laxity measurable on stress testing) and functional instability (the subjective sensation of the ankle “giving way” due to impaired proprioception and neuromuscular control). Both must be present to warrant surgical consideration. Patients with only functional instability — normal ligament integrity on stress testing but persistent giving-way episodes — typically respond to proprioceptive rehabilitation and bracing without surgery. Patients with documented mechanical laxity who fail conservative treatment are the primary surgical candidates.

Approximately 20-40% of patients who sustain an acute lateral ankle sprain develop chronic instability, making it one of the most common residual conditions in sports medicine. The risk factors for progression to chronicity include inadequate initial rehabilitation (the most modifiable factor), high-demand athletic activity, generalized ligamentous laxity (hypermobility), hindfoot varus alignment, and early return to sport before ligament healing is complete. Understanding these risk factors helps identify patients who need close follow-up after acute sprains to prevent chronic instability from developing.

Who Needs Brostrom-Gould Surgery? Indications and Criteria

The decision to proceed with Brostrom-Gould surgery requires meeting specific clinical criteria that ensure the procedure is both necessary and likely to succeed. The primary indication is persistent lateral ankle instability (recurrent sprains and/or giving-way episodes) despite 3-6 months of comprehensive conservative treatment including physical therapy (proprioceptive training, peroneal strengthening, balance exercises), ankle bracing during activity, and activity modification.

Conservative treatment must be genuinely comprehensive before surgery is considered — “I wore an ankle brace for a while” doesn’t constitute adequate conservative management. A proper rehabilitation program includes 2-3 physical therapy sessions weekly for 8-12 weeks, progressing from isolated strengthening through functional exercises to sport-specific agility training. Only when this level of rehabilitation fails to restore functional stability is surgical intervention appropriate.

Relative contraindications to the standard Brostrom-Gould include severe generalized ligamentous laxity (Beighton score ≥6/9), previously failed Brostrom repair, poor-quality residual ligament tissue (assessed intraoperatively), and significant hindfoot malalignment that creates abnormal lateral loading. These patients may benefit from augmented Brostrom techniques (internal brace) or alternative reconstruction procedures that use tendon grafts. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we perform thorough preoperative assessment to ensure each patient receives the most appropriate surgical technique for their specific anatomy and pathology.

Preoperative Evaluation and Advanced Imaging

Thorough preoperative evaluation ensures surgical planning addresses all pathology — ankle instability rarely exists in isolation, and unaddressed concomitant conditions are a leading cause of surgical dissatisfaction. The evaluation begins with bilateral stress radiographs: an anterior drawer stress test quantifies ATFL laxity, and a talar tilt stress test assesses combined ATFL/CFL involvement. An anterior drawer translation exceeding 10mm or a side-to-side difference greater than 3mm indicates clinically significant ATFL insufficiency.

MRI provides detailed assessment of soft tissue pathology including ligament quality (essential for surgical planning), presence of osteochondral lesions of the talus (present in 20-50% of chronic instability cases), peroneal tendon pathology, and ankle synovitis. Osteochondral lesions identified on MRI must be addressed at the time of Brostrom-Gould repair — leaving a cartilage defect untreated will compromise rehabilitation and long-term outcomes regardless of how well the ligament repair heals.

Weight-bearing CT scanning has emerged as an valuable adjunct for evaluating hindfoot alignment and subtle syndesmotic widening that standard radiographs may miss. Three-dimensional assessment of the foot and ankle architecture under physiologic loading conditions reveals malalignment patterns that can guide surgical decision-making — for example, significant hindfoot varus may warrant concurrent calcaneal osteotomy to address the structural predisposition to recurrent inversion rather than relying on ligament repair alone.

The Brostrom-Gould Surgical Technique Explained

The procedure is performed under regional anesthesia (ankle block or popliteal nerve block) with or without sedation, typically as an outpatient surgery. A curvilinear incision is made over the lateral malleolus following the course of the ATFL. The surgeon identifies the attenuated or scarred ATFL remnant — in chronic cases, the ligament is typically elongated and thickened with disorganized scar tissue rather than completely absent. The quality of this remnant tissue influences the repair technique and need for augmentation.

The Brostrom component involves shortening and reattaching the ATFL to restore its native tension. The attenuated ligament is detached from its fibular (lateral malleolus) insertion, shortened by excising the degenerative central portion, and reattached to the fibular cortex using suture anchors placed at the anatomic ATFL footprint. The ankle is held in slight eversion and dorsiflexion during repair to establish the correct resting tension — too tight restricts motion, too loose fails to restore stability.

The Gould modification adds the inferior extensor retinaculum (IER) reinforcement. The IER — a fascial band overlying the extensor tendons and lateral ankle — is advanced superiorly and sutured over the ATFL repair, creating a secondary stabilizing layer. This augmentation increases the repair’s ultimate failure strength by approximately 40%, reduces reliance on the healing ATFL alone during early rehabilitation, and adds a proprioceptive element because the IER contains mechanoreceptors that improve ankle position sense. The combined repair addresses both the structural and neurosensory deficits of chronic instability.

Open vs. Arthroscopic Brostrom Repair: Which Is Better?

The arthroscopic (all-inside) Brostrom technique has gained popularity over the past decade as a minimally invasive alternative to the traditional open approach. Arthroscopic repair uses small portal incisions to visualize the ATFL from within the ankle joint and reattach it to the fibula using suture anchors placed under arthroscopic guidance. Proponents cite reduced surgical trauma, smaller incisions, faster early recovery, and the ability to simultaneously address intra-articular pathology (osteochondral lesions, synovitis, loose bodies) through the same portals.

However, the arthroscopic technique has limitations. The Gould modification (IER reinforcement) cannot be performed arthroscopically because the retinaculum is an extra-articular structure. This means the arthroscopic repair relies entirely on the ATFL repair strength without the secondary reinforcement that characterizes the traditional Brostrom-Gould. Some surgeons compensate by using internal brace augmentation with the arthroscopic technique, but long-term comparative data between arthroscopic-with-brace and open-Brostrom-Gould remains limited.

Current evidence suggests equivalent outcomes between open and arthroscopic techniques at 2-year follow-up in patients with adequate ligament quality. The open Brostrom-Gould remains preferred for patients with poor tissue quality, revision cases, or when concurrent lateral procedures (peroneal tendon repair, calcaneal osteotomy) are planned. Arthroscopic repair may offer advantages for patients requiring concurrent intra-articular procedures or those prioritizing cosmesis and early mobilization. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we select the technique based on individual patient anatomy, pathology, and goals rather than defaulting to one approach.

Internal Brace Augmentation: The Modern Enhancement

Internal brace augmentation (IBA) represents the most significant advancement in Brostrom surgery since the Gould modification. The technique adds a high-strength suture tape (typically InternalBrace by Arthrex) that bridges the ATFL repair from fibula to talus anchor points, creating a synthetic “seatbelt” that protects the healing ligament from excessive loading during early rehabilitation. The internal brace doesn’t replace the ligament — it shields the biological repair while it heals, then serves as a permanent secondary stabilizer.

The primary advantage of internal brace augmentation is accelerated rehabilitation. Traditional Brostrom-Gould requires 4-6 weeks of immobilization to protect the healing ligament before progressive weight-bearing and range of motion begins. With IBA, immediate weight-bearing in a walking boot is often possible because the suture tape assumes the stabilizing load while the ligament repair matures. Studies show earlier return to functional milestones: weight-bearing at 1-2 weeks (vs. 4-6 weeks), sport-specific training at 3-4 months (vs. 4-5 months), and full competition at 4-5 months (vs. 5-7 months).

Internal brace augmentation is particularly beneficial for high-demand athletes seeking accelerated return to sport, patients with generalized hypermobility where tissue quality raises concern about repair strength, and revision Brostrom cases where scar tissue may compromise primary repair healing. The additional cost of the device ($500-$1000 for the suture tape and anchors) is offset by reduced time in immobilization and potentially earlier return to work and sport. Most insurers cover the augmentation when medical necessity is documented.

Post-Operative Recovery Timeline: Week by Week

Recovery from Brostrom-Gould surgery follows a predictable but patient-specific timeline. Weeks 0-2: The foot is immobilized in a posterior splint or cast with the ankle in neutral position. Non-weight-bearing with crutches is standard (or immediate weight-bearing in a boot with internal brace augmentation). Ice, elevation, and pain management dominate this phase. Sutures are removed at the 2-week visit, and the surgical incision is assessed for healing.

Weeks 2-6: Transition to a walking boot with progressive weight-bearing as tolerated. Gentle ankle range of motion exercises begin — initially plantarflexion and dorsiflexion only (the safe planes), with inversion/eversion introduced gradually around week 4. Physical therapy focuses on reducing swelling, preventing joint stiffness, and maintaining cardiovascular fitness through upper-body and non-impact exercises. This is the most critical healing window — the ligament repair is gaining strength but remains vulnerable to excessive stress.

Weeks 6-12: Boot discontinuation and transition to supportive athletic shoes with ankle bracing. Progressive strengthening of the peroneal muscles, calf complex, and intrinsic foot muscles. Balance and proprioceptive training begins with single-leg stance progressions, wobble board exercises, and closed-chain strengthening. Walking gait normalization is the primary functional goal. Most patients return to desk work at 2-4 weeks and physical/standing work at 6-10 weeks depending on job demands.

Months 3-6: Progressive sport-specific rehabilitation including jogging progression, lateral movement introduction, cutting and pivoting drills, and eventually full-speed agility testing. Return-to-sport clearance requires meeting objective criteria (detailed below). Most recreational athletes achieve full clearance at 4-5 months, while competitive athletes in cutting sports may require 5-7 months for complete return. Throughout this phase, ankle bracing during all athletic activity is mandatory.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Protocol

Rehabilitation after Brostrom-Gould surgery is arguably as important as the surgery itself — a technically perfect repair can fail without proper rehabilitation, while an adequate repair supplemented by excellent rehabilitation often exceeds expectations. The rehabilitation protocol progresses through four phases, each with specific goals and criteria for advancement that must be met before progressing.

Phase 1 (Protective Phase, Weeks 0-6): Goals include wound healing, edema control, and pain management. Exercises include ankle pumps (dorsiflexion/plantarflexion to promote venous return), isometric muscle activation (gentle muscle tensioning without joint movement), and non-weight-bearing cardiovascular maintenance. Elevation above heart level for 30 minutes every 2 hours dramatically reduces swelling and speeds healing. Compression wrapping or compression socks (worn over surgical dressings once the incision is sealed) provides graduated pressure that supplements elevation.

Phase 2 (Early Mobilization, Weeks 6-10): Progressive range of motion and initial strengthening. Exercises include theraband resistance in all planes (beginning with light resistance and progressing weekly), calf raises (initially bilateral, progressing to single-leg), and balance exercises progressing from stable surface with eyes open to unstable surface with eyes closed. Aquatic therapy (pool walking, water resistance exercises) provides excellent early rehabilitation because buoyancy reduces weight-bearing stress while water resistance builds strength.

Phase 3 (Advanced Strengthening, Weeks 10-16): Functional exercises that replicate real-world demands. Lateral step-downs, single-leg squats, forward/backward walking lunges, and plyometric progressions (beginning with bilateral double-leg hops and advancing to single-leg landing drills). Proprioceptive challenges increase dramatically — balance board exercises, perturbation training, and reactive agility drills retrain the ankle’s protective reflexes that chronic instability degraded.

Phase 4 (Return to Sport, Weeks 16-24): Sport-specific drills including linear sprinting, lateral shuffles, figure-8 running at progressive speeds, cutting on command, and jump-landing activities. Athletes must demonstrate symmetrical performance (within 10% of the uninjured side) on hop testing, strength testing, and agility testing before clearance for full competition. Psychological readiness — confidence in the ankle during unplanned movements — is equally important and often requires exposure to increasingly challenging scenarios during rehabilitation.

Return-to-Sport Criteria After Brostrom-Gould

Evidence-based return-to-sport criteria prevent premature return that risks re-injury or repair failure. Objective clearance requires meeting all of the following: full pain-free ankle range of motion matching the contralateral side, single-leg hop distance within 90% of the uninjured side, ankle eversion and inversion strength within 80% of the uninjured side measured by dynamometry, successful completion of sport-specific agility testing without pain or apprehension, and single-leg balance for 30 seconds on an unstable surface with eyes closed.

Subjective criteria are equally important. The patient must report confidence in the ankle during unexpected movements, no sensation of instability or giving way during rehabilitation exercises, and willingness to perform sport-specific cutting and pivoting without hesitation. Fear of re-injury is a significant barrier to successful return — addressing this through progressive exposure to increasingly challenging activities during Phase 4 rehabilitation is as important as physical restoration.

Long-Term Outcomes and Success Rates

The Brostrom-Gould procedure has one of the most extensively documented track records in foot and ankle surgery. Meta-analyses of long-term outcomes consistently report 85-95% good-to-excellent results based on standardized ankle scoring systems (AOFAS, FAOS, Karlsson-Peterson scores). Patient satisfaction rates exceed 90%, and approximately 85-90% of athletes return to their pre-injury sport level following successful rehabilitation.

Long-term follow-up studies at 10-20 years post-surgery demonstrate durable results — recurrent instability rates range from 3-9% in primary repairs, though this increases to 15-20% in revision cases. Importantly, the anatomic repair preserves normal ankle mechanics, so unlike non-anatomic reconstructions, patients don’t develop the subtalar stiffness and progressive arthritis associated with motion-restricting techniques. Ankle arthrosis (degenerative changes) at long-term follow-up is typically minimal and correlates more with pre-existing cartilage damage from chronic instability than with the repair itself.

Potential Complications and Risk Management

Like all surgical procedures, the Brostrom-Gould carries potential risks that informed patients should understand. The most common complication is sural nerve injury (5-10% incidence), which presents as numbness or tingling along the lateral foot border. The sural nerve courses near the surgical field, and retraction during surgery can cause neuropraxia (temporary nerve dysfunction) that typically resolves within 3-6 months. Permanent sural nerve injury is rare (less than 2%) and usually manifests as a small patch of lateral foot numbness that doesn’t impair function.

Wound healing complications occur in 2-5% of cases, typically related to excessive early activity, smoking, or diabetes. The lateral ankle has relatively thin soft tissue coverage, and surgical wounds in this area are prone to dehiscence if subjected to excessive motion or pressure during the critical first 2-3 weeks. Strict adherence to immobilization and elevation protocols virtually eliminates this risk. Deep infection requiring surgical debridement is rare (less than 1%) and is minimized by perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis and sterile surgical technique.

Ankle stiffness, particularly loss of inversion range, occurs in approximately 5-10% of patients and is usually related to overtensioning of the repair or inadequate early rehabilitation. This underscores the importance of precise surgical technique (setting appropriate ligament tension) and starting supervised range of motion exercises within the timeline prescribed by the operating surgeon. Aggressive early mobilization prevents adhesion formation, while excessively early return to activity risks repair failure — the physical therapist must navigate this balance carefully.

PowerStep Insoles for Post-Surgical Ankle Recovery

Post-surgical patients transitioning out of their boot often experience significant gait asymmetry — weeks of altered walking patterns create muscle imbalances and compensatory movement patterns that persist even after the boot is removed. PowerStep insoles in both shoes (not just the surgical side) help normalize bilateral gait mechanics by providing symmetrical support, reducing the energy expenditure of compensatory strategies that fatigue patients during early walking rehabilitation.

For long-term ankle instability prevention, PowerStep insoles serve as a permanent addition to all athletic and daily footwear. Even after successful Brostrom-Gould repair, the repaired ligament may not achieve 100% of native tissue strength — ongoing biomechanical support through orthotic use reduces the stress placed on the repair during weight-bearing activities, providing a margin of safety that supplements the surgical restoration. We recommend PowerStep insoles as standard post-surgical footwear protocol for all our Brostrom-Gould patients at Balance Foot & Ankle.

Doctor Hoy’s for Post-Surgical Pain and Swelling Management

Post-operative pain management after ankle surgery benefits from a multimodal approach that combines systemic medications with targeted topical relief. Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel provides localized analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that complement oral medications, potentially reducing the duration and dosage of prescription pain medications during recovery.

Once the surgical incision has fully sealed (typically 2-3 weeks post-operatively with physician clearance), applying Doctor Hoy’s arnica and menthol gel to the ankle above and below the incision site provides targeted relief for the deep aching and post-activity swelling that characterize the mid-rehabilitation phase. The menthol cooling sensation is particularly appreciated after physical therapy sessions that push range of motion and strength boundaries, while arnica addresses the tissue-level inflammation that accompanies therapeutic exercise loading.

During the return-to-sport phase, Doctor Hoy’s becomes a pre- and post-activity companion. Application before rehabilitation sessions or sport-specific training reduces anticipatory discomfort that can unconsciously limit effort, while post-activity application manages the inflammatory response that intensive training creates. Many of our post-surgical athletes continue using Doctor Hoy’s for 6-12 months after surgery, tapering gradually as the ankle’s tolerance to activity loading increases and post-exercise soreness diminishes.

DASS Compression Socks for Post-Surgical Recovery

Graduated compression is one of the most evidence-supported interventions for post-surgical recovery, and ankle surgery patients benefit enormously. DASS compression socks reduce post-operative swelling by promoting venous return and preventing the dependent edema that accumulates when patients sit or stand with their foot below heart level during the rehabilitation period. Persistent swelling is the single most common complaint during Brostrom-Gould recovery and the most frequent barrier to rehabilitation progression.

Wearing DASS graduated compression socks during all upright activity once the boot is removed dramatically reduces the end-of-day ankle swelling that otherwise causes stiffness, pain, and delayed progress in physical therapy. The compression also provides proprioceptive input to the healing ankle — the circumferential pressure stimulates mechanoreceptors that enhance joint position awareness, supplementing the proprioceptive rehabilitation program.

Post-surgical compression sock use should continue for 3-6 months after surgery — longer than most patients expect but justified by the extended timeline for complete soft tissue healing and edema resolution after ankle surgery. DASS compression socks worn during athletic activity after return to sport also serve a protective function by combining compression-enhanced proprioception with gentle mechanical stabilization, creating an additional safety layer over the healing repair during the critical first competitive season.

Your Complete Ankle Reconstruction Recovery Kit

Most Common Mistake: Rushing Back Too Soon After Brostrom-Gould Surgery

Warning Signs After Brostrom-Gould Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions About Brostrom-Gould Surgery

How long does Brostrom-Gould surgery take?

The surgical procedure typically takes 45-90 minutes depending on complexity and whether concurrent procedures (osteochondral lesion treatment, peroneal tendon repair, internal brace augmentation) are performed. With preparation and regional anesthesia administration, total operating room time is approximately 2-3 hours. The surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure — patients go home the same day with a posterior splint and pain management prescriptions.

When can I drive after Brostrom-Gould surgery?

Driving resumption depends on which foot was operated and your vehicle type. Left ankle surgery patients with automatic transmissions can often resume driving at 2-3 weeks when pain permits safe brake operation with the right foot. Right ankle surgery patients typically cannot drive safely until they transition out of the walking boot and demonstrate adequate brake reaction time — usually 6-8 weeks. Manual transmission drivers require bilateral foot function and should wait 8-10 weeks regardless of surgical side.

Will I need to wear an ankle brace permanently after surgery?

Not permanently, but extended bracing is recommended. Most patients wear a lace-up ankle brace during all athletic activity for the first 12 months after surgery, then transition to bracing only during high-risk activities (competitive sports, hiking on uneven terrain). Some patients choose to continue bracing during all exercise permanently as an additional safeguard — this is a personal preference rather than a medical necessity for patients with successful repairs and full rehabilitation.

What is the success rate of Brostrom-Gould surgery?

Meta-analyses report 85-95% good-to-excellent outcomes, with patient satisfaction rates exceeding 90%. Approximately 85-90% of athletes return to their pre-injury sport level. Recurrent instability occurs in 3-9% of primary repairs and 15-20% of revision cases. Long-term studies at 10-20 years demonstrate durable stability maintenance with minimal progressive arthritis — superior to non-anatomic reconstruction techniques that restrict normal ankle motion.

Can Brostrom-Gould surgery be performed on both ankles at the same time?

Bilateral simultaneous Brostrom-Gould surgery is technically possible but not recommended. The procedure requires a period of non-weight-bearing or limited weight-bearing that would be impossible to manage safely with both ankles operated simultaneously — the patient would be unable to walk even with assistive devices. Sequential bilateral surgery, with the second ankle addressed after the first has completed the initial recovery phase (typically 3-4 months), is the standard approach for patients requiring bilateral repair.

Sources & References

1. Brostrom L. “Sprained ankles. VI. Surgical treatment of ‘chronic’ ligament ruptures.” Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica, 1966;132(5):551-565.
2. Gould N, Seligson D, Gassman J. “Early and late repair of lateral ligament of the ankle.” Foot and Ankle, 1980;1(2):84-89.
3. Bell SJ, Mologne TS, Sitler DF, Cox JS. “Twenty-six-year results after Brostrom procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability.” American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2006;34(6):975-978.
4. Viens NA, Wijdicks CA, Campbell KJ, et al. “Anterior talofibular ligament ruptures, part 1: biomechanical comparison of augmented Brostrom repair techniques.” American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2014;42(2):405-411.
5. Drakos MC, Behrens SB, Mulcahey MK, et al. “Arthroscopic ankle ligament repair and reconstruction.” Bulletin of the Hospital for Joint Diseases, 2019;77(1):69-77.

Watch: Understanding Ankle Ligament Reconstruction

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• Ankle Sprain Treatment Guide
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Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products: See our clinically tested product recommendations for this condition. View Dr. Tom’s recommended products →

When to Consider Brostrom-Gould Ankle Ligament Surgery

If you have chronic ankle instability with repeated sprains that haven’t improved with bracing and physical therapy, the Brostrom-Gould procedure may restore ankle stability. At Balance Foot & Ankle, Dr. Biernacki performs ankle ligament reconstruction at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices.

Learn About Our Ankle Instability Treatment | Book Your Appointment | Call (810) 206-1402

Clinical References

1. Gould N, Seligson D, Gassman J. “Early and late repair of lateral ligament of the ankle.” Foot & Ankle. 1980;1(2):84-89.
2. Bell SJ, Mologne TS, Sitler DF, Cox JS. “Twenty-six-year results after Brostrom procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability.” American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2006;34(6):975-978.
3. Maffulli N, Del Buono A, Maffulli GD, et al. “Isolated anterior talofibular ligament Brostrom repair for chronic lateral ankle instability.” American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013;41(4):858-864.