Rehabilitation Exercises for a Broken Ankle

Following a period of immobilisation in a cast, it is important to follow a thorough rehabilitation programme following a broken ankle. These exercises can be used to encourage a full range of motion and strength at the ankle.

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Following a broken ankle, it is important to regain the full strength and movement in the ankle to help prevent future injuries. Mobility exercises can usually begin first, once a cast is removed. Try to take the ankle through its full range of motion provided it is comfortable to do so. Point the foot away then pull it upwards holding for a couple of seconds at each end. Do the same when turning the foot inwards and outwards. Stretching the muscles surrounding the ankle is a must as the calf muscles especially will have been in a shortened position while immobilized. To stretch the gastrocnemius lean against a wall with a wide stance, the back leg straight and heel on the floor. To stretch the soleus muscle bring the back leg forward slightly and squat down as far as you can bending both knees and keeping the heels down. To start to strengthen the ankle joint begin with seated calf raises to strengthen the calf muscles especially the soleus muscle. Start with just a few repetitions and gradually increase. Resistance bands can also be used to strengthen the muscles surrounding the ankle. To work the calf muscles wrap the band around your foot and hold the ends close to you. Point your foot away against the resistance. To work the shin muscles, get someone to hold the ends away from you and pull the foot up towards you. To work the evertor muscles on the outer ankle wrap the band around the foot and hold the ends to the inside of the foot, turn the ankle outwards against resistance. To work the invertors move the band ends to the outside of the ankle and try to turn the foot inwards against the resistance. By now the ankle should be strong enough to complete full weight calf exercises, start off by performing them on the floor on both feet. Progress to single leg exercises and then to performing on a step and lowering the heel below the level of the step. Toe walking can be added as a functional progression to standard calf raises.