Toe wiggles
Curl the toes down, then spread them and pull them up, as far as the plaster allows.
- 10 times
- Every hour while awake
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 77
After surgery on a broken ankle: plate and screws
Foot & ankle · After surgery on a broken bone
Count the weeks from the day of your operation. The date is on your discharge card.
If your doctor wrote a different plan on your prescription, follow that instead of this page.
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Weeks 0–2
Bring the swelling down: keep the ankle above the level of the hip most of the day. Keep the plaster or boot on and dry. Keep the toes, knee and hip moving. If we prescribed blood-thinning injections or tablets, take every dose.
Weight bearing As written on your prescription. Use the walker or crutches every time.
Quad sets
Sit with the leg straight. Press the back of the knee down and tighten the thigh.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh muscle tightening Should not feel: Knee pain
Straight leg raise
Lie down, one knee bent. Keep the other knee straight and lift the leg 20 cm.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee bending or back pain
Buttock squeeze
Lie on your back with the legs straight. Squeeze the buttocks together, hold, then relax.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The buttocks tightening Should not feel: Back pain
Lying hip slide out
Lie on your back, legs straight, toes pointing up. Slide the leg out to the side and back, keeping the knee straight.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: The toes rolling outwards
Not yet Letting the leg hang down for long, walking on the operated leg unless we have allowed it, getting the plaster or the wound wet, or driving.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 2–6
Stitches out. If we have moved you into a removable boot, take it off to exercise the ankle and to wash, and wear it to walk. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing As written on your prescription. It increases as the X-ray shows healing.
Ankle pumps
Pump the feet up and down to keep the blood moving.
- 20 times
- Every hour while awake
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Calf pain or swelling — tell us
Ankle circles
Move the ankle slowly in circles both ways.
- 10 each way
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The ankle loosening Should not feel: Sharp pain
Towel calf stretch, sitting
Sit with the leg straight. Loop a towel round the ball of the foot and pull the toes towards you.
- Hold 30 seconds
- 3 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch in the calf Should not feel: Sharp pain
Sitting heel and toe raises
Sit with both feet flat on the floor. Lift the heels, lower them, then lift the toes.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The calf and the front of the shin working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Not yet Walking without the boot, running or jumping.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Out of the boot as we advise. Walk without a limp; build calf strength and balance. Ankle swelling by evening is normal and can last for some months. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing Full, unless we have told you otherwise.
Calf raises
Rise onto both toes and lower under control.
- 15 times
- Daily
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Calf stretch, knee straight
Hands on a wall, back leg straight, heel down.
- Hold 30 seconds
- 3 times
Should feel: A stretch in the upper calf Should not feel: Pain in the heel
Calf stretch, knee bent
The same position but bend the back knee slightly.
- Hold 30 seconds
- 3 times
Should feel: A stretch lower down Should not feel: Sharp pain
Single-leg balance
Stand on one leg beside a worktop. Balance prevents falls, and preventing falls prevents fractures.
- 30 seconds
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Working to stay steady Should not feel: Losing balance — hold on
Heel-to-toe walking
Walk heel to toe along a line, beside a support.
- 10 steps
- Daily
Should feel: Steadier walking Should not feel: Wobbling — use the wall
Towel toe curls
Scrunch a towel with the toes.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The foot muscles working Should not feel: Cramp
Not yet Running, jumping or heavy manual work.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Week 12 onwards
Back to work and sport, as the X-ray shows. Carry on with the third-stage exercises.
Weight bearing Full.
Step-up
Hold a rail. Step up onto a low step with the operated leg, then step down with the other leg.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Static cycling
Set the seat high, so the knee is almost straight at the bottom. Pedal gently with little resistance.
- 10 minutes
- Daily
Should feel: The knee moving freely Should not feel: Pain in the knee or hip
Not yet Contact sport until we clear you.
Stop and telephone us if
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain — go to the nearest hospital
- Pain that keeps getting worse despite the painkillers, or is much worse when you move the toes
- The foot becomes numb, cold, pale or blue
- The calf becomes swollen, tight or painful
- Wound redness, discharge or fever
- The plaster or boot feels too tight, or rubs in one spot
- A new snap, or the ankle gives way
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.