The Boston Globe Quotes Dr. Kenneth Jung: Weighs in on Mac Jones ankle injury.
Article Link: While Mac Jones seeks a second opinion on ankle, Patriots express faith in Brian Hoyer – The Boston Globe
Many athletes who suffer high ankle sprains opt for tightrope surgery, which can shorten their time on the sideline.
According to Kenneth Jung, a foot and ankle specialist at the Kerlan Jobe Institute at Cedars Sinai and a consultant to the Rams, surgery is often elected when ligaments have been torn enough that the leg is unstable.
“The tightrope surgery is used to stabilize the tibia and fibula and then restore the alignment of those bones,’’ he said.
A benefit to the tightrope procedure is that permanent sutures are used rather than screws, so there’s no need for a second surgery to remove any hardware.
With traditional surgery, there’s always the risk that a screw can break, leaving nothing holding the bones together.
“When you have the tightrope in there, you always have [it] essentially holding those two bones together,’’ said Jung. “It allows you to push a little harder rehab-wise.’’
