The human ankle is a complex mechanism consisting of three separate joints that connect the foot and leg. Because they support the entire body’s weight, these joints must be extremely strong. Increased strength results in better stability, allowing higher weight-bearing, mobility, and adaptability standards for the entire body.
In conjunction with the foot, the ankle allows you to perform activities of daily living like standing, walking, running, and jumping while also acting as a kinetic linkage between your limbs and the ground. The physiology of the ankles enables them to withstand the stress of our body weight while also allowing them to adapt and react quickly to changes in the environment and walking surface.
Dr. Freeman has been my doctor for 10 years+ I couldn’t say enough great things on here. I came to him after major back surgery looking only to be able to enjoy my new family. Dr. Freeman has got me through and then some.
Grade I: The ankle ligaments are stretched, causing minor damage and micro-tearing. These injuries may be painful but can be remedied through pain management and proper exercise protocols.
Grade II: Tears that are considered Grade II involve the partial tearing of one of the ligaments in the ankle that causes more laxity in the ankle joint. Treatment for these types of injuries normally consists of immobilization and strengthening exercises.
Grade III: These ligament tears involve a complete tear of the connective tissue. Individuals will experience a lot of instability in the ankle joint accompanied by swelling. Typically this injury will require surgery combined with extensive therapy to allow for a full recovery and full functionality to return to the ankle joint.
When you suffer from an ankle ligament injury, you should initiate the RICE protocols and schedule an appointment with a specialist to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Conservative treatment aims at reducing pain and swelling and providing rest to the injured ligament. Failure to treat ankle ligament damage may result in chronic ankle instability. Surgery may be required if nonsurgical treatments fail to provide relief and ankle joint instability persists after months of treatment.
Following any injury to your ankle, you should seek medical attention from a specialist.
To determine the extent and nature of the injury, a thorough physical examination by a physician, as well as X-rays, may be required. An MRI scan may be ordered in severe cases to confirm the severity of the injury and rule out the possibility of a fracture. If surgery is recommended, you will require 2 to 4 weeks of postoperative physical rehabilitation to help prevent the injury from recurring.
Ankle ligament injuries tend to have positive outcomes when a proper plan of care is established. The time frame for full recovery is dependent upon the severity of the injury. Grade I and grade II injuries may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to recover from, while Grade III injuries can take up to four months.
Very knowledgeable staff. Kiran Khatri the Medical Assistant and Dr. Philip Ceraulo are phenomenal!! They are both very caring and compassionate.
Dr. Eric D. Freeman is a top-rated, best-in-class pain management doctor. He is a nationally recognized pain relief specialist and is among the top pain care doctors in New Jersey and the country. He is an award-winning expert and contributor to prominent media outlets. Dr. Eric D. Freeman has been recognized for his thoughtful, thorough, modern approach to treating chronic pain. He has been named a “top pain management doctor in New Jersey” and one of “America’s Top Physicians” for advanced sports injury treatments.
2500 Morris Ave.,
Suite 220
Union, NJ 07083
10 Parsonage Road
Suite 208
Edison, NJ 08837
922 Main Street
Suite 201
Paterson, NJ 07503
185 Fairfield Ave.,
Suite 2A
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
836 Broadway
Bayonne, NJ 07002
445 Pleasant Valley Way
West Orange, NJ 07052