High Ankle Sprains, the Syndesmotic Tightrope, and Modern Achilles Repair with Dr. Norman Waldrop

Join ESPN's Stephania Bell, PT, OCS Emeritus, CSCS, as she sits down at the TPC Team Physician Controversies Meeting with Dr. Norman Waldrop — orthopedic surgeon at Andrews Sports Medicine, Team Physician for the University of Alabama, and Team Physician for the New Orleans Saints. In this conversation, Dr. Waldrop discusses why the high ankle sprain has become the NFL's leading time-loss injury, how the syndesmotic tightrope implant has transformed treatment by preserving normal ankle motion instead of relying on rigid screw fixation, and his rationale for now using a double tightrope construct in most syndesmosis repairs. He also breaks down the rising incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures across pro and recreational sports and walks through his mini-open Achilles repair technique, including how his approach shifts for mid-substance versus bone-avulsion tears. Physical therapists will learn about: Why high ankle sprains are now the NFL's largest time-loss injury The anatomical and mechanical differences between high and low ankle sprains How the syndesmotic tightrope allows physiologic motion and faster, more effective rehab The rationale for single vs. double tightrope constructs Trends driving the rise in Achilles tendon ruptures Mini-open Achilles repair technique and its advantages over traditional open repair How treatment differs for mid-substance vs. bone-avulsion Achilles tears 📌 Want more content like this? Join APTA Orthopedics to access exclusive courses, research, and clinical resources designed to help you stay at the forefront of orthopedic physical therapy: https://www.orthopt.org/content/join Target Audience: Orthopedic and sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine clinicians, foot and ankle specialists, rehab directors, PT students, and sports science professionals. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and Guest Background 1:09 - Are High Ankle Sprains More Common, or Just Better Recognized? 3:45 - Defining the High Ankle Sprain: Anatomy and Mechanism 6:17 - Introducing the Syndesmotic Tightrope 7:33 - How the Tightrope Changes Rehab and Recovery 9:21 - Long-Term Joint Health Outcomes 10:07 - Single vs. Double Tightrope Construct 11:07 - Rising Achilles Injuries and the Mini-Open Repair 13:46 - Mid-Substance vs. Bone Avulsion Tears 14:37 - Closing Download Our Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ecya9I... Download Our Podcast on Apple Podcast's https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...