Revolutionising Ligament repair

THE INTERNALBRACE

The InternalBrace is the biggest leap forward in the treatment and regeneration of damaged ligaments and tendons in the last 30 years, allowing anybody from Olympians to recreational walkers to get back to sport and activity in a fraction of the time it takes to recover from conventional surgery. InternalBracing is designed to protect ligament repairs and reconstructions even for late presentations.

PODCAST

Revolutionising Ligament repair

THE INTERNAL BRACE

The InternalBrace is the biggest leap forward in the treatment and regeneration of damaged ligaments and tendons in the last 30 years, allowing anybody from Olympians to recreational walkers to get back to sport and activity in a fraction of the time it takes to recover from conventional surgery.

PODCAST

What exactly is Internal Bracing?

What exactly is InternalBracing?

The Internal Brace is revolution

The future of ligament repair

The InternalBrace is the future of ligament repair because it is a painless addition to any ligament repair or augmentation which protects it during the crucial period of healing and remodelling. It therefore allows immediate mobilisation which is not possible with standard reconstruction. Research is also showing much better long term injury free outcomes compared to traditional reconstruction surgery.

InternalBrace Research

What makes the InternalBrace a unique way to repair injury

The beauty of the InternalBrace as a repair mechanism is that it harnesses the body’s natural recuperative powers. Surgery can happen as quickly as possible after the injury, (unlike in a traditional reconstruction where you may be asked to wait for the joint to settle down), and ACL InternalBrace patients are encouraged to mobilise immediately after surgery, meaning there is no period of incapacitation. InternalBrace surgery is also indicated for revision surgery or chronic long-term injuries.

While the patient is gradually increasing the intensity and duration of exercise following surgery, the ligament/tendon grows through the lattice structure of the InternalBrace which acts as a scaffold, supporting the regeneration and healing of the injured tissue. Because the affected joint does not need to be incapacitated, it does not need to be put in a plaster cast, which traditionally results in a loss of condition for the surrounding muscles (wasting) and extends recovery time. Using an InternalBrace often reduces recovery time for work and sport by as much as 50%.

To quote Chris Coetze, President of the US Foot and Ankle Society, "This (the InternalBrace) is the most significant innovation in my practice over the last ten years."

In some of our podcast episodes, we chat to patients about their experience of InternalBrace surgery.

PODCAST

HOW THE INTERNALBRACE IS ALTERING PATIENT OUTCOMES FOR THE BETTER

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Repair with the InternalBrace can restore 100% of the native strength of ankle ligaments immediately at the time of surgery

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90% of ACL repairs have regained 90% of function by 12 weeks after surgery

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An AC joint augmented with the InternalBrace can help to avoid the 40% left with residual instability after traditional surgery

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100% of knee ligaments can weight bear the day after surgery with InternalBracing

BENEFITS OF INTERNALBRACE SURGERY

ENHANCED REGENERATION AND HEALING

InternalBracing and repair has an excellent rate of success when compared with conventional surgery - it minimises further injury to the joint

FASTER RETURN TO WORK AND SPORT

Because of the unique properties of InternalBracing there is very little loss of function and patients are able to return to work and sport dramatically faster

THE GOLD STANDARD

The way InternalBracing works makes it ideal for any ligament repair or reconstruction

MINIMISING JOINT ARTHRITIS

Conventional reconstruction has an unacceptably high association with arthritis, with the InternalBrace we are attempting to minimise this complication

STRONGER AND MORE STABLE

The addition of an InternalBrace means that a damaged joint can actually be stronger after surgery as it continues to act as an internal seatbelt

QUICKER & CHEAPER

InternalBracing is faster and quicker than a conventional reconstruction, and can saves you money as you can be back at work more quickly

WHO DOES IT WORK FOR

SPORTS INJURIES

InternalBracing can help everyone of any age, from Olympians and professional sportsmen to joggers; from Munro baggers and skiers to middle aged men in Lycra and weekend warriors.

EVERYDAY INJURIES

Whether you fall on ice, fall off your bike or hurt yourself lifting, every year thousands of people rupture ligaments and tendons. But you don't need to be a sports star to benefit from InternalBrace surgery - let us help you stay active, whoever you are

THE INTERNALBRACE IN DEPTH WHAT WE OFFER?

We offer surgery on all common knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow injuries, as well as more complex and serious surgeries on these joints.

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INTERNALBRACE IN DEPTH

What exactly is the InternalBrace and how does it work for acute and chronic ligament injuries and instabilities? Find out more.

InternalBrace Research
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SHOULDER INJURIES

Whether the result of a high-impact injury or repetitive wear in the gym, the InternalBrace can help with actute and chronic ligament injuries and instabilities.

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knee injury

KNEE INJURIES

We use an InternalBrace to stabilise and strengthen the knee, accelerating recovery times for acute and chronic ligament injuries and instabilities.

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ANKLE INJURIES

This is the most frequently damaged joint, accounting for one sixth of sports injuries, the InternalBrace can be used for acute and chronic ligament injuries and instability.

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ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INTERNALBRACE ANSWERED

Professor Mackay on everything you want to ask about the Internal Brace

The InternalBrace is a seatbelt to protect a reconstruction or a direct repair.

Reconstruction is traditionally carried out when the tissues are unable to heal. The tissues that are injured are removed and replaced with donor tissue either harvested locally (usually from the hamstring) or from another patient in the form of an allograft

Patient friendly, allows rapid return to normal life such as driving and work. Respects biology, conserving natural tissue including bone stock, nerves and vessels. Recovery time is generally reduced by half, it is hoped that this will reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.

IB technology can help to reduce the recovery time and minimise surgical trauma when combined with conventional techniques.

Ideally you would want to be seen within 5-6 weeks, however each case varies and it is often possible for a successful outcome beyond this time frame -for revision surgery or chronic long term injury. This would be discussed when clinically assessed. 

The InternalBrace is a surgical suture tape which is placed within the repaired or reconstructed ligament and is positioned like a seatbelt to protect it.

The InternalBrace can be removed but it does afford a degree of protection from further injury and is usually left. It is safe in the body, but is removed in the growing child to avoid restriction of growth.

The InternalBrace allows the healing ligament to grow through it. It is not a synthetic ligament and only protects the ligament repair.

No, the InternalBrace is not designed to be a synthetic ligament. It is not strong enough and only provides support during the early phase of recovery while the ligament repair or graft is healing and remodelling. This facilitates and protects the ligament during early mobilisation.

Unfortunately the InternalBrace is not indestructible and only provides protection for the natural ligament.

The InternalBrace is not indestructible and re-injury can occur. It doesn't prevent reconstruction in the future, if required. Excitingly for patients new long term studies are showing 88% of patients remain re-injury free after InternalBrace ACL surgery, compared to 10-15% of traditional reconstruction patients. Read the research here

There is a small metal button on either side.

Yes.

No, the cost is the same

Yes, recovery is far quicker, but can vary from patient to patient

Go to our specific joint Q&As

All ligament repairs can be protected with the InternalBrace to accelerate mobilisation and recovery. It currently has 18 applications, including ligaments relating to the ankle, shoulder, knee, wrist and hand.

FAQS Page

“I RUPTURED EVERYTHING IN MY KNEE FALLING FROM A HORSE, AFTER INTERNALBRACING I WAS BACK RIDING WITHIN THREE MONTHS”

NIKKI CORSTORPHINE

Some of our patient stories

From an injured Olympian winning a miracle medal to a horse rider competing despite being told she may never walk again, the InternalBrace helps elite athletes and ordinary people get back to doing what they love. Here are some patient video stories. You will find many more on our Youtube channel.
Check out more patient videos or
Go to our FAQS section now
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FIND OUT TODAY IF WE CAN HELP YOU HEAL

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for InternalBrace surgery then get in touch today

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