Ankle Fracture: Rehab Exercises
Introduction
Here are some examples of exercises for you to try. The exercises may be suggested for a condition or for rehabilitation. Start each exercise slowly. Ease off the exercises if you start to have pain.
You will be told when to start these exercises and which ones will work best for you.
How to do the exercises
Calf stretch (knee straight)
slide 1 of 10, Calf stretch (knee straight),
For this exercise, you will need a towel.
- Sit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor. Your other leg should be bent, with that foot flat on the floor.
- Place a towel around your affected foot just under the toes.
- Hold one end of the towel in each hand, with your hands above your knees.
- Pull back gently with the towel so that your foot stretches toward you.
- Hold the position for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times a session, up to 5 sessions a day.
Calf stretch (knee bent)
slide 2 of 10, Calf stretch (knee bent),
For this exercise, you will need a towel. You will also need a pillow or foam roll.
- Sit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor. Your other leg should be bent, with that foot flat on the floor.
- Place a pillow or foam roll under your affected leg.
- Place a towel around your affected foot just under the toes.
- Hold one end of the towel in each hand, with your hands above your knees.
- Pull back gently with the towel so that your foot stretches toward you.
- Hold the position for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times a session, up to 5 sessions a day.
Ankle plantar flexion
slide 3 of 10, Ankle plantar flexion,
- Sit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor. Your other leg should be bent, with that foot flat on the floor.
- Keeping your affected leg straight, gently flex your foot downward so your toes are pointed away from your body. Then slowly relax your foot to the starting position.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Ankle dorsiflexion
slide 4 of 10, Ankle dorsiflexion,
- Sit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor. Your other leg should be bent, with that foot flat on the floor.
- Keeping your affected leg straight, gently flex your foot back toward your body so your toes point upward. Then slowly relax your foot to the starting position.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Resisted ankle plantar flexion
slide 5 of 10, Resisted ankle plantar flexion,
For the next four exercises, you will need elastic exercise material, such as surgical tubing or Thera-Band.
- Sit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor. Your other leg should be bent, with that foot flat on the floor.
- Place an elastic band around your affected foot just under the toes.
- Hold each end of the band in each hand, with your hands above your knees.
- Keeping your affected leg straight, gently flex your foot downward so your toes are pointed away from your body. Then slowly relax your foot to the starting position.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Resisted ankle dorsiflexion
slide 6 of 10, Resisted ankle dorsiflexion,
- Tie the ends of an exercise band together to form a loop. Attach one end of the loop to a secure object, like a table leg, or shut a door on it to hold it in place. (Or you can have someone hold one end of the loop to provide resistance.)
- While sitting on the floor or in a chair, loop the other end of the band over the top of your affected foot.
- Keeping your knee and leg straight, slowly flex your foot toward you to pull back on the exercise band, and then slowly relax.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Resisted ankle inversion
slide 7 of 10, Resisted ankle inversion,
- Sit on the floor with your good leg crossed over your other leg.
- Hold both ends of an exercise band and loop the band around the inside of your affected foot. Then press your good foot against the band.
- Keeping your legs crossed, slowly push your affected foot against the band so that foot moves away from your good foot. Then slowly relax.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Resisted ankle eversion
slide 8 of 10, Resisted ankle eversion,
- Sit on the floor with your legs straight.
- Hold both ends of an exercise band and loop the band around the outside of your affected foot. Then press your good foot against the band.
- Keeping your leg straight, slowly push your affected foot outward against the band and away from your good foot without letting your leg rotate. Then slowly relax.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Ankle alphabet
slide 9 of 10, Ankle alphabet,
- Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. (You can also do this exercise lying on your back with your affected leg propped up on a pillow).
- Lift the heel of your affected foot off the floor, and slowly trace the letters of the alphabet.
Heel raises
slide 10 of 10, Heel raises,
- Stand with your feet 8 to 10 centimetres apart, with your hands lightly resting on a counter or chair in front of you.
- Slowly raise your heels off the floor while keeping your knees straight.
- Hold for about 6 seconds, then slowly lower your heels to the floor.
- Do 8 to 12 repetitions several times during the day.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Current as of: March 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine