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Introduction 1
AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or physicians referenced herein. This information is provided as an educational service and is
not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specic orthopaedic advice or assistance should consult his or her orthopaedic surgeon.
Our knowledge of orthopaedics. Your best health.
Foot and Ankle Conditioning Program
Purpose of Program _________________________________________________________________
After an injury or surgery, an exercise conditioning program will help you return to daily activities and enjoy a more
active, healthy lifestyle. Following a well-structured conditioning program will also help you return to sports and other
recreational activities.
This is a general conditioning program that provides a wide range of exercises. To ensure that the program is safe
and effective for you, it should be performed under your doctor’s supervision. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist
about which exercises will best help you meet your rehabilitation goals.
Strength: Strengthening the muscles that support your lower leg, foot, and ankle will help keep your ankle joint stable.
Keeping these muscles strong can relieve foot and ankle pain and prevent further injury.
Flexibility: Stretching the muscles that you strengthen is important for restoring range of motion and preventing injury.
Gently stretching after strengthening exercises can help reduce muscle soreness and keep your muscles long and exible.
Target Muscles: The muscle groups of the lower leg are targeted in this conditioning program, as well as the tendons
and ligaments that control movement in your feet. These include:
• Gastrocnemius-soleus complex (calf)
• Anterior tibialis (shin)
• Posterior tibialis (center of calf)
• Peroneus longus (outside of lower calf)
• Peroneus brevis (outside of lower calf)
• Soleus (calf)
• Dorsiexors (ankle)
• Plantar exors (ankle)
• Invertors (ankle)
• Evertors (ankle)
Length of program: This foot and ankle conditioning program should be continued for 4 to 6 weeks, unless otherwise
specied by your doctor or physical therapist. After your recovery, these exercises can be continued as a maintenance
program for lifelong protection and health of your feet and lower legs. Performing the exercises three to ve days a
week will maintain strength and range of motion in your foot and ankle.
Getting Started _____________________________________________________________________
Warm up: Before doing the following exercises, warm up with 5 to 10 minutes of low impact activity, like walking or
riding a stationary bicycle.
Stretch: After the warm-up, do the stretching exercises shown on Page 1 before moving on to the strengthening
exercises. When you have completed the strengthening exercises, repeat the stretching exercises to end the program.
Do not ignore pain: You should not feel pain during an exercise. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist if you have
any pain while exercising.
Ask questions: If you are not sure how to do an exercise, or how often to do it, contact your doctor or physical therapist.