If you have a weak or unstable shoulder, knee, hip, or other joint, pain management specialist Alexander Kulick, MD, can help. At his practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, Dr. Kulick offers advanced pain management solutions to strengthen joints and relieve chronic discomfort. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online to learn more about joint instability treatments.

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The ankles support the body and are susceptible to daily wear and tear and to injuries that can cause discomfort and pain affecting your daily quality of life. At the Center for Integrated Pain Management, conditions are diagnosed and treatment plans are tailored for the patient’s optimal health and pain relief. Below is a list of ankle conditions treated at the Center.

  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Ankle Sprains, Strains and Tears
  • Ankle Instability
  • Muscle Spasms

A diagnosis will be made once Dr. Kulick reviews your family history, completes a thorough physical examination and conducts an in-office ultrasound. If necessary,  Dr. Kulick may request that you obtain an MRI, a CT Scan or additional X-rays in order to determine the diagnosis and treatment plan.

To learn more about the treatment and relief of ankle conditions please contact our office at  212-867-1777.

Joint instability occurs when weak tissues in your joints — ligaments, muscles, tendons, or bones — become weak and unstable. Instability can occur in your:

  • Knees
  • Hips
  • Ankles
  • Elbows
  • Shoulders
  • Neck
  • Fingers
  • Toes

Joint instability increases your risk of more serious injuries, which is why seeking treatment is important.

What are the symptoms of joint instability?

Symptoms you might experience with joint instability include:

  • Feeling like your joint gives out
  • Chronic pain
  • Joint dislocation
  • Tenderness
  • Weakness

Your risk of developing joint instability increases as a result of injury, fall, dislocation, arthritis, or overuse. Being double-jointed can also contribute to joint instability. See Dr. Kulick at the first sign of joint problems to prevent complications.

How is joint instability diagnosed?

To diagnose your condition, Dr. Kulick reviews your medical history and symptoms. He examines weak or painful joints and moves them around to evaluate looseness and tissue strength.

He might use X-rays, MRIs, or other imaging tests to determine the severity of your condition and detect or rule out more serious injuries.

How is joint instability treated?

Your personalized joint instability treatment plan might include:

RICE therapy

You might first try rest, ice, elevation, and compression to help unstable joints heal. Wearing a brace can help, too. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can reduce discomfort while your injury heals.

Physical therapy

A physical therapist helps you strengthen your joints, increase flexibility, reduce pain, and prevent further joint damage. They help you complete in-office exercises and give you strength routines to do at home between sessions.

Joint injections

Dr. Kulick offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, steroids, and other joint injections to accelerate your body’s natural healing response, alleviate inflammation, and reduce pain. He might recommend a series of injections to optimize your results. 

Surgery

As a last resort, surgery can repair and stabilize weak joints. Many joint surgeries are minimally invasive using tiny incisions. After surgery, physical therapy enhances your recovery.

Don’t let joint instability or chronic pain go untreated and lead to more serious injuries. Schedule an appointment at the office of Dr. Alexander Kulick over the phone or online today.