OrthoNet

Ankle - posterolateral approach

* position - prone with tourniquet

* incision - long. incision midway btw lat. malleolus & Achilles

* internervous plane - PB (SPN) & FHL (tibial n.)

* dissection
- mobilize skin flaps
- short saphenous vein & sural n. run just behind lat. malleolus
- incise deep fascia of leg in line with incision
- ID 2 peroneal tendons
- PB ant. to PL at level of ankle
- PB muscular down to level of ankle
- incise peroneal retinaculum to release tendons & retract lat.
- expose FHL
- incise lat. fibers of FHL as they arise from fibula
- retract FHL med.
- incise periosteum of distal tibia
- follow post. aspect of tibia down to post. ankle & incise capsule transversely

* dangers
- short saphenous vein & sural n.