Syndesmoplasty/Ligament replacement using own tissue

In many cases, joints can be stabilised following a ligament tear with the aid of special physiotherapy. In so doing, the strengthened muscles take over the former role of the injured ligament. A condition for this however, is that treatment is started at the earliest possible opportunity. If there is chronic instability of the joint already, surgery is often unavoidable. Even in physically active young patients, the stabilisation of the muscles is generally not sufficient for the high levels of stress on the joints. If the ligament ends cannot be joined together again by stitching – which is only possible in the case of fresh ligament injury – a replacement of the ligament is performed using own tissue. This is known as syndesmoplasty. Most frequently, we carry out this procedure on the cruciate ligament of the knee (cruciate ligament reconstruction) or on the ankle ligaments.

The course of treatment

Syndesmoplasty of the knee joint is usually performed arthroscopically with the aid of small incisions. Depending on individual the circumstances, we remove the body’s own tendon on the same knee and insert it as a replacement for the injured ligament. Within approx. 12 weeks, the tissue grows together with the bone and then takes on all the functions of the former ligament. In the case of chronic instability of the ankle, torn ligaments can also be replaced by the body’s own tendon or a part of the bone skin (periosteum).