Ankle Pumps

Improves circulation and helps reduce swelling.

Ankle Pumps exercise illustration

What it helps

Keeps blood moving to reduce swelling and the risk of clots while you're less active — small, frequent, and important early on.

How to do it

  1. Flex your foot up, pointing your toes toward the ceiling.
  2. Point your toes down, away from your body.

Tips

  • Move slowly and with control.

Commonly done as 20 repetitions, several times a day.

Where this appears in recovery

Ankle Pumps is part of 36 recovery programs, typically in the phase 1 and before surgery and phase 2 stage. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:

All exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education

These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.