Ankle surgeries are necessary due to bunions, arthritis, and injuries to bone, tendons or ligaments of the ankle joint. They usually include removal of a small portion of the bone, fusion of ankle, tendon repair or ankle joint replacement. If there is time to prepare for surgery, it is a good idea to perform conditioning of the legs and upper body to increase healing time and decrease discomfort after surgery.
Seated Exercises
Most ankle surgeries will result in a period of time that you are on crutches or using a walker. So,it is recommended to strengthen the upper body and the core muscles. To strengthen your arms, sit in a chair with arms and no wheels. Scoot your body forward on the chair and using mostly your arms, raise up and extend the elbows. Slowly lower yourself back into the chair. Repeat 10 times, rest for one minute and repeat 10 more times. Do these exercises two or three times daily.
Standing Exercises
Strengthen your biceps and triceps by bending the elbow so that the palms are in front of the shoulders. Squeeze your biceps for a count of six and return the arms to a relaxed position hanging by your side. Now with the palms facing backward, squeeze your triceps muscles for a count of six. Relax and repeat five to 10 times, three times daily. Wall presses are done by keeping the feet shoulder-distance apart while facing a wall with the arms almost completely straight and hands on the wall at shoulder height. Now, bend at the elbows, bringing your nose to the wall. Repeat five to 10 times, three times daily.
Supine Exercises
While lying on your back, perform ankle circles clockwise and counterclockwise to increase motion in the joints. Quadriceps can be strengthened by placing a rolled up hand towel under the ankles and trying to press the knee flat. This exercise should be felt in the top of the thigh. Perform a knee slide by trying to bend the knee and bringing the ankle as close to the buttocks as possible without taking the heel off the floor. Squeeze the buttocks together and hold for a count of six. All of these exercises should be performed for five to 10 repetitions, three times daily.
Other Presurgical Interventions
You surgeon or doctor will give you other recommendations or exercises. It is important to follow these instructions for your safety and recovery. A few suggestions that help the whole body heal faster are to lose weight if you are overweight and to decrease or quit smoking. Doing both of these will increase healing time and your overall health. Do not consume alcohol within 48 hours of surgery. Consider making changes to your diet so that you are eating well and your body has the nutrition it needs to heal.
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