Single-Leg Heel Raises
A key strength milestone — calf raises on the surgical leg alone.
What it helps
Calf strength on one leg — a milestone that means the ankle can power a normal step on its own.
How to do it
- Stand at a counter with your fingertips resting on it for balance.
- Lift the other foot clear of the floor so all your weight is on the working leg.
- Rise onto the ball of that foot, lifting the heel as high as is comfortable.
- Lower slowly.
Tips
- Fingertips are for balance, not for pulling yourself up.
- Build repetitions gradually — this strength often returns slowly.
- If a single leg is too much, start with both feet and progress from there.
Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 8-12, daily.
Where this appears in recovery
Single-Leg Heel Raises is part of 36 recovery programs, most often at the long-term recovery (months 6–12), advanced recovery (months 3–6) and long-term recovery (months 6–18) stages, among others. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- Distal Fibula Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Achilles Tendon Repair exercise guide
- Cheilectomy (Big Toe) exercise guide
- Fasciotomy (Compartment Syndrome) exercise guide
- Ankle ORIF (Trimalleolar) exercise guide
- Achilles Tendon Reconstruction exercise guide
- Achilles Tendon Reconstruction exercise guide
- Triple Arthrodesis exercise guide
- Ankle Arthroscopy (Cartilage Repair) exercise guide
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Reconstruction exercise guide
- Hammertoe Correction exercise guide
- Fifth Metatarsal Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- …and 24 more
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.