Because of all the information (and misinformation) that has circulated about I felt compelled to compile all the information to get a better understanding of the second most important ankle on the Indianapolis Colts roster.
This all began when Freeney stepped on the foot of Mark Sanchez injuring his right ankle. The ankle turned inward which suggests an Lateral Ligament Spain, the most common type of ankle sprain.
The real question is what grade level is the sprain.
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
|
Edems/Ecchymosis (Bruising) |
Localized/Slight |
Localized/Moderate |
Diffuse/Significant |
Weight Bearing Ability |
Full or Partial Without Significant Pain |
Difficult Without Crutches |
Impossible Significant Pain |
Ligament Pathology (ligament damage) |
Ligament Stretch |
Partial Tear |
Complete Tear |
Return to Sporting Activities (recovery time) |
11 days |
2-6 weeks |
4-26 weeks |
ESPN's John Clayton reported that Freeney has been in a walking boot all week and has been receiving hyperbaric chamber and ARP treatment.
I have heard of no reports that Freeney has needed the assistance of crutches, and since he has been walking on the ankle (hence, walking boot) then we could effectively rule out a Grade III sprain.
Craig Kelley, a Colts spoke person released this statement,
He is under the care of our athletic training staff. Nothing we have seen changes our diagnosis that he is questionable. He has a third-degree, low basketball sprain.
But that is what doesn't make sense. If it was a third degree sprain then he wouldn't be able to put weight on the foot at all and we know that he has. For those who are thinking that this is misinformation released by the Colts to confuse the Saintsinto preparing for Freeney than why say it a third degree sprain which means a full rupture of the ligament rather then a much less serious level I or II sprain. That doesn't add up.
So I'm confident that Dwight Freeney suffered a Level II sprain of the lateral ligament.
So what treatment is Freeney using?
Other than RICE (rest,ice, compression and elevation) a hyperbaric chamber is being utilized which theoretically allows for quicker healing times for soft tissue injuries by increasing the blood flow to the swollen region, but its effectiveness has been called into question.
Freeney has also been using ARP treatment, which according to the manufacturer decreases swelling and inflammation by increasing local blood circulation.
Athletes sustaining grade II lateral ankle sprains (partial ligament tear with moderate swelling and ecchymosis and limited weight bearing ability) treated with 6 to 10 ARP sessions, and no other conservative treatment except supportive bracing, had an average recovery rate and return to play at 3 to 5 days post injury.
If that is true, and since it is their homepage that is certainly questionable, we should definitely see an effective Dwight Freeney on Sunday with three times as much time needed for recovery as ARP suggests.
So in conclusion, Dwight Freeney suffered a Grade II strain of his lateral ligament as has been using RICE treatment in conjunction with hyperbaric and ARP treatment all designed to decrease the neccessary healing time.
This along with tape and a cortisone shot prior to the game should render him effective come Sunday night.