Ankle Pain / Sports Injury
Whether your ankle pain comes from a sudden sports injury or a chronic condition that has worsened over time, Cella Foot & Ankle Specialty offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment to get you back on your feet. Dr. Cella treats the full range of ankle and lower-leg conditions for active patients and athletes in Fair Lawn, NJ , from Achilles injuries and sprains to fractures, arthritis, and tendon dysfunction, using both conservative and surgical approaches tailored to the severity of your injury.
Achilles Injuries
Achilles tendinitis is caused by overuse of the band of tissue that connects the lower region of your calf muscle to your heel bone, known as the Achilles tendon. Those at higher risk for Achilles tendinitis include runners engaging in intense training and middle-aged people who participate in sports occasionally. Because chronic or degenerative Achilles pain does not always respond to rest alone, Dr. Cella may recommend advanced options such as amniotic tissue injection therapy to support healing.
Ankle Sprains
A sprained ankle occurs when you twist your ankle abnormally, causing the ligaments that hold your ankle bones together to stretch or tear. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury, and while you may only need proper rest and pain medication to heal, it is important to have the sprain evaluated by a professional to determine its severity and the appropriate treatment. Supportive sports strapping and taping is often used to stabilize the joint during recovery.
Arthritic Ankle
Arthritis is a general term for diseases that involve inflammation and swelling in and around your joints as the bones rub and wear against each other. Ankle arthritis becomes increasingly painful as the patient loses the smooth, cushioning cartilage inside the ankle joint, and over time the soft tissues in the joint may also begin to wear down until the joint no longer works or moves the way it should. Many types of arthritis can affect the ankle joint, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. Symptoms often include tenderness when you touch the joint, pain when you move it, trouble moving or walking or putting weight on it, joint stiffness, warmth or swelling, and increased pain and swelling after resting. Conservative treatments may include stretching and exercises, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, custom molded orthotics, custom-fitted shoes, braces, physical therapy, steroid injections, and prolotherapy, while Euflexxa® joint injection therapy offers another non-surgical option. Surgical treatments may be required in more severe cases, including ankle fusions and joint replacement surgery.
Ankle Fracture
A fracture of the ankle is a break, or multiple breaks, in one or more of the three bones that make up the ankle joint: the tibia (shinbone), the fibula (the outer bone of the lower leg), and the talus (one of the bones of the foot). There are many different types of ankle fractures, requiring a variety of treatments that range from immobilization and offloading to surgical intervention. Dr. Cella will determine the exact nature of the fracture and recommend the safest, most effective path to healing.
Dropfoot
Sometimes called foot drop, dropfoot is a general term for difficulty lifting the front part of the foot, which may cause the front of your foot to drag on the ground when you walk. Dropfoot is not a disease but a sign of an underlying neurological, muscular, or anatomical problem. It can be temporary or permanent, and it may result from a trauma or a surgical procedure. There are many treatment options, ranging from braces to physical therapy to surgery, and while they may not completely restore a normal gait, they can often reduce symptoms significantly and make walking easier. When a nerve condition is involved, our neuropathy care may also be part of your treatment plan.
Peroneal Tendonitis/Rupture
Tendons are thick bands of connective tissue that connect bones and muscles and allow the muscles to move your bones. Within each foot there are several tendons, the most notable of which are the Achilles tendon (also known as the calcaneal tendon) and the peroneal tendons. The Achilles connects your calf muscle to your foot, while the peroneals run alongside one another behind the ankle bone before going their separate ways to the outer part of your midfoot and underneath to the arch. When these tendons become inflamed or torn, Dr. Cella offers both conservative care and advanced treatment to relieve pain and restore stability.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
The posterior tibial tendon is one of the most important tendons of the leg. A tendon attaches muscles to bones, and the posterior tibial tendon attaches the calf muscle to the bones on the inside of the foot. Its main function is to hold up the arch and support the foot when walking. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a condition caused by changes in the tendon that impair its ability to support the arch, resulting in a flattening of the foot. PTTD is often called adult-acquired flatfoot because it is the most common type of flatfoot to develop during adulthood. There are four stages of PTTD, each requiring different conservative and surgical treatments that range from custom orthotics and custom bracing to injections, surgical repair of the tendon, reconstructive flatfoot repair, and fusions. Related arch symptoms are covered further on our arch pain page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my ankle is sprained or fractured?
Both injuries can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty walking, but a fracture involves a break in one of the ankle bones and often produces more severe pain and deformity. The only reliable way to tell them apart is a professional evaluation, sometimes with an X-ray, so it is important to have any significant ankle injury examined.
When should I see a podiatrist for ankle pain?
You should schedule an evaluation if you have significant swelling, cannot bear weight, have pain that does not improve with rest, notice instability or repeated giving way, or experience ankle pain that keeps returning. Early care helps prevent a minor problem from becoming chronic.
Can ankle sprains cause long-term problems?
Yes. Sprains that are not properly treated can lead to chronic instability, repeated sprains, and even arthritis over time. Correct diagnosis, appropriate rest, supportive taping or bracing, and rehabilitation help protect the joint and reduce the risk of lasting issues.
What is the treatment for Achilles tendinitis?
Treatment often begins conservatively with rest, activity modification, stretching, orthotics, and anti-inflammatory measures. For chronic or degenerative cases, Dr. Cella may recommend regenerative options such as amniotic tissue injections to support healing of the tendon.
Do all ankle fractures require surgery?
No. Many ankle fractures heal well with immobilization and offloading, while more complex or displaced fractures may require surgery. Dr. Cella evaluates the specific type of fracture to recommend the most appropriate treatment.
What causes adult-acquired flatfoot?
Adult-acquired flatfoot most often results from posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, in which the tendon that supports the arch weakens and can no longer hold it up. Depending on the stage, treatment ranges from custom orthotics and bracing to surgical repair.
Can athletes return to sports after an ankle injury?
In most cases, yes. With accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and proper rehabilitation, most athletes can return to activity. The timeline depends on the injury, and Dr. Cella will guide you on a safe return to protect against re-injury.