This real patient was compensated for the time they took to share their personal experience with the InternalBrace procedure.
This real patient was compensated for the time they took to share their personal experience with the Syndesmosis TightRope® procedure.
When a high ankle sprain threatened Riley Leonard’s football career, advanced surgical innovation and expert care helped him make a remarkable comeback.
A Promising Career Interrupted by a High Ankle Sprain
Riley Leonard’s journey to the NFL wasn’t without adversity. While playing for Duke University in 2023, he sustained a high ankle sprain in a game against Notre Dame—a team he would later join. “My mindset after the injury was, how do I get back on the field as fast as possible?” Riley said.
Innovative Arthrex Ankle Surgery Speeds Riley’s Return to Football
In January 2024, Riley transferred to Notre Dame, where he quickly became a leader on and off the field, even earning recognition as a top 10 candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
Later that year, in April 2024, Riley underwent surgery performed by Thomas Bemenderfer, MD (South Bend, IN), of South Bend Orthopedics, the longtime official team physicians for Notre Dame. A former Notre Dame football player himself, Dr. Bemenderfer used the Arthrex Syndesmosis TightRope® XP implant along with a fracture plate to stabilize Riley’s injured ankle.
“The dynamic fixation provided by the TightRope XP system is unrivaled,”¹ Dr. Bemenderfer said. “He was walking within a couple of weeks and continues to excel beyond all expectations. This repair is flexible; it allows motion where there should be motion and it’s stable where the ankle needs to be stable.”¹
Riley says his strong faith and his trust in the procedure and his team of trainers kept him optimistic throughout the recovery process.
“I know I was in excellent hands, and I feel great,” Riley said. “There may be people who underestimate my legs, but that’s even better for me. I can prove them wrong. I am running the fastest I ever have, and I can’t wait for what lies ahead.”
From College Comeback to NFL Opportunity
Riley’s resilience paid off. After a standout season at Notre Dame, he was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
His journey—from injury to recovery, from college to the pros—is a testament to perseverance, surgical innovation, and the power of believing in your comeback.
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