Ben Barba makes a break for the Bulldogs. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited
BEN Barba says he will hit the ground running at the Broncos after undergoing a rare form of surgery to expedite his recovery from an ankle injury.
The big-name Brisbane recruit was expected to be sidelined until Christmas.
But the former Bulldog flyer is three weeks ahead of schedule thanks to a medical advancement that saw the fullback remove his compression boot during the week.
Known as tightrope fixation, the surgery is becoming more common in the treatment of syndesmosis injuries. Using a piece of surgical rope, Barba had his fibula and tibia held together, with the rope enabling sufficient flexion in his ankle in the rehabilitation phase.
Traditionally, a screw is inserted into the damaged area, a scenario that provides less flexibility and would have forced Barba to undergo a second bout of surgery to remove the screw.
Having avoided another operation, Barba plans to be off crutches in the coming weeks and has no concerns about his ankle holding up next year after a nightmare 2013 campaign.
"The ankle is feeling much better already," Barba said.
"The operation with the rope has given me a bit more movement. It feels good, I'm out of the moon-boot and I'll get off the crutches soon.
"I should be running by early December, it's a new start for me so I'm looking forward to training at the Broncos."
Broncos physiotherapist Luke Anning said club medicos were pleased with Barba's progress.
"This method of surgery saves Ben from having another op to remove the screw and speeds up his recovery," Anning said.
"When you use a screw you have to pull it out at about six to eight weeks, so there's a further delay.
"Now the surgeons can use a surgical rope, it has two clips on either end and it has a bit of give as you move your ankle.
"In the old days, they would screw it together, let everything scar up a bit, and then pull the screw out, but now that can be avoided.
"It's a relatively new procedure. It's not the first one I've seen at the Broncos but they have mostly been with our under-20s guys, not the NRL squad.
"Jharal Yow Yeh had a tightrope as well as a screw, but Jharal's injury (dislocated compound fracture of the ankle) was a lot more severe than Ben's."
Of Yow Yeh, who failed to play an NRL game in 2013, Anning said: "We're hoping he will come back.
"It's been a long road for Jharal but we'll see how his pre-season goes."
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