Ankle Post-Op

Physical
Therapy
Exercises
Written by: Sami Foersterling

Table of Contents

iii

Table of Contents
Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iii
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... v
Range of Motion Exercises ............................................................................................................. 3
Dorsi/Plantar Flexion .................................................................................................................. 3
Ankle Plantar Flexion ................................................................................................................. 4
Ankle Eversion............................................................................................................................ 5
Ankle Inversion ........................................................................................................................... 6
Ankle Dorsiflexion, Active Assisted .......................................................................................... 7
Stretching Exercises ...................................................................................................................... 11
Gastrocsoleus ............................................................................................................................ 11
Gastrocsoleus, Standing ............................................................................................................ 12
Index ............................................................................................................................................. 13

Introduction

Introduction
This manual consists of physical therapy exercises that are to be completed by
patients following ankle surgery. The two main types of exercises are range of
motion exercises and stretching exercises. There are five different range of motion
exercises listed in this manual (dorsi/plantar flexion, ankle plantar flexion, ankle
eversion, ankle inversion, and ankle dorsiflexion active assisted). There are two
stretching exercises (gastrocsoleus, and gastrocsoleus standing). Every exercise
should be completed on both ankles because it is important to maintain the balance
in strength and mobility in both ankles. There are images for each step to clarify
how each exercise is to be completed.

Materials needed:
Chair with backing
Long towel that is the length of the patients arm span or a belt
Staircase
Wall to sit against

Range of Motion Exercises

Range of Motion Exercises

Range of Motion Exercises

Dorsi/Plantar Flexion
1. Start sitting in a chair with your back straight and feet flat on the floor.
2. Draw the top of your foot upwards by flexing your ankle off of the ground,
leaving your heel on the ground (Shown in Fig 1.1).

Figure 1.1

3. Reverse the motion, pointing your toes downward allowing your heels to
rise.
4. Hold each position for 5-10 seconds.
5. Repeat 15-30 times per ankle. Complete this exercise 2-3 times per day.

Ankle Post-Op Physical Therapy Exercises

Ankle Plantar Flexion

1. Start sitting in a chair with your back straight.
2. Cross your right/left leg over your opposite knee (Shown in Figure 1.2).

Figure 1.2

3. Use your opposite hand to pull the top of your foot and toes toward you and
the back of the chair.
4. You should feel a gentle stretch on the top of your foot/ankle.
5. Hold this position for 10-15 seconds.
6. Repeat this 10 times a day.

Range of Motion Exercises

Ankle Eversion
1. Sit with your right / left ankle crossed over your opposite knee similar to the
last exercise.
2. Grip your foot with your opposite hand, placing your thumb on the top of
your foot and your fingers across the bottom of your foot (Shown in Figure
1.3).

Figure 1.3

3. Gently push your foot downward with a slight rotation so your littlest toes
rise slightly (Shown in Figure 1.3). You should feel a gentle stretch on the
inside of your ankle.

4. Hold the stretch for 10-15 seconds per ankle.

Ankle Post-Op Physical Therapy Exercises

Ankle Inversion
1. Sit with your right / left ankle crossed over your opposite knee similar to the
last exercise.
2. Grip your foot with your opposite hand, placing your thumb on the top of
your foot and your fingers across the bottom of your foot (Shown in Figure
1.4).

Figure 1.4

3. Gently push your foot downward with a slight rotation so your littlest toes
rise slightly (Shown in Figure 1.3). You should feel a gentle stretch on the
inside of your ankle.
4. Hold the stretch for 10-15 seconds per ankle.

Range of Motion Exercises

Ankle Dorsiflexion, Active Assisted

1. Remove shoes and sit on a chair that is preferably not on a carpeted surface.
2. Bend your legs placing either your right or left foot under your knee (Shown
in Figure 1.5).

Figure 1.5

3. Extend your opposite leg in front of you for support.

4. Keeping your heel down, slide your right or left foot back toward the chair
until you feel a stretch at your ankle or calf.
5. Hold this stretch for 15-30 seconds per ankle.
6. Repeat this stretch 2 times per ankle.

Ankle Post-Op Physical Therapy Exercises

Stretching Exercises

Stretching Exercises

Stretching Exercises
Gastrocsoleus
1. Sit up straight on the ground with your back against a wall.
2. While bending one leg at the knee, extend your right or left leg.
3. Holding onto both ends of a belt or towel, loop it around the ball of your foot
(Shown in Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1

4. Keeping your right or left ankle and foot relaxed and your knee straight, pull
your foot and ankle toward you using the belt/towel. You should feel a
gentle stretch behind your calf or knee.
5. Hold this position for 15-30 seconds.

10

Ankle Post-Op Physical Therapy Exercises

Gastrocsoleus, Standing
Warning: This exercise can place a lot of stress on your foot and
ankle. Please complete this exercise only if specifically instructed by
your physical therapist.
1. While standing at the top of a staircase with a chair in front of you, place the
ball of your right / left foot on a step, keeping your other foot firmly on the
same step (Shown in Figure 2.2).

Figure 2.2

2. Hold onto the back of a chair for balance.

3. Slowly lift your other foot, allowing your body weight to press your heel
down over the edge of the step. You should feel a stretch in your right or left
calf.
4. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds per ankle.

Index

11

Index
Ankle Dorsiflexion, Active Assisted, 7
Ankle Eversion, 5
Ankle Inversion, 6
Ankle Plantar Flexion, 4

Dorsi/Plantar Flexion, 3
Gastrocsoleus, 11
Gastrocsoleus, Standing, 12