When ankle joints become damaged beyond the point of repair due to injury, arthritis or other conditions, a total ankle replacement offers the prospect of regaining full ankle function. During an ankle replacement, your surgeon will replace the damaged portions of your ankle using artificial joints. Ankle replacements usually last about 10 years and can eliminate the pain felt prior to surgery. After your incision has healed, your doctor is likely to recommend a series of ankle exercises that will help increase the range of motion in your new ankle.
Toe Taps
This exercise can help improve the ability of your ankle to perform movements requiring dorsiflexion, the ability to decrease the angle of your ankle, and plantar flexion, the ability to increase the angle of your ankle. Sit on a chair with your unaffected foot flat on the ground. Place the heel of your surgical ankle on the ground. Slowly raise your toes upwards toward your body. Lower your toes to the ground again. Complete two sets of 10 repetitions of this exercise.
Alphabet
This exercise will help improve the motion in your new ankle. Sit on a chair or on the edge of your bed. Position your affected ankle so that it is slightly elevated off of the floor or your bed. Using only your ankle and foot, "write" the letters of the alphabet in the air. Do not bend your leg, knee or hip while completing this exercise. Start out "writing" small letters. As your range of motion improves, "write" the letters as large as you can. Complete this exercise three times each day.
Inversion and Eversion
This exercise will improve your ankle's ability to move from side to side. Sit on a chair or the edge of your bed. Your foot should be off the ground, with your legs hanging off the side of your bed. Slowly move your affected foot away from your body so that your toes are pointing outward: eversion. Hold this position for a count of five seconds. Move your foot back to the center. Slowly tilt it inward with your toes pointing in: inversion. Hold this position for a count of five seconds. Bring your foot back to the center. Relax and repeat this exercise in one set of 10 repetitions. Complete inversion and eversion exercises three times each day.
Ankle Pumps
Ankle pumps help increase your ability to move your ankle forward and backward. They can also be used immediately following surgery to help reduce the risk of blood clots in your leg. You can complete this exercise while lying or sitting in bed. Fully extend your legs with your heel touching the ground. Push your ankle forward as if you were accelerating while driving a car. Then move your ankle backward as if you were easing off the gas pedal. Complete three sets of 10 repetitions of this exercise daily.
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