Ankle pumps
Pump the feet up and down to keep the blood moving.
- 10 times
- Every hour
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Calf pain or swelling — tell us
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 72
After surgery on the shin bone: nail or plate
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.
A4 PDF, 0.7 MB. Free to download — no sign-up, no email address needed.
Weeks 0–2
Bring the swelling down: rest with the ankle above the hip and the knee straight. Keep the ankle moving.
Weight bearing
Nail Full, as comfortable, with a walker, unless we tell you otherwise.
Plate As written on your prescription.
Towel toe curls
Scrunch a towel with the toes.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The foot muscles working Should not feel: Cramp
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.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee bending or back pain
Heel slides
Lie down and slide the heel up towards the buttock, bending the knee as far as you can.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
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
Not yet Letting the leg hang down for long, a pillow under the knee, or driving.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 2–6
Full ankle and knee movement; walk with support. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing
Nail Full. Move from the walker to crutches.
Plate As written on your prescription. It increases as the X-ray shows healing.
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
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
Standing hip abduction
Hold a chair. Lift the leg out to the side, keeping the body upright.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: Leaning over
Standing hip extension
Hold a chair. Take the leg backwards, keeping it straight.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The buttock working Should not feel: Arching the back
Not yet Running, jumping, or kneeling on the operated knee.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Walk without a limp; build calf strength and balance. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing
Nail Full. Cut down the walking aids.
Plate As written on your prescription, as the X-ray allows.
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.
- 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
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
Step down
Stand on a low step and lower the other heel slowly towards the floor.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: Controlled lowering Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Mini squat
Hold a support and bend the knees a little way.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thighs working Should not feel: Knee pain
Not yet Running 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.
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 leg becomes very swollen, tight or hard
- The calf becomes swollen, tight or painful
- The foot becomes numb, cold, pale or blue
- Wound redness, discharge or fever
- A new snap, or the leg gives way
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.