Toe Flexion & Extension

Keeps the toes moving and blood flowing while the ankle is protected.

Toe Flexion & Extension exercise illustration

What it helps

Keeps the toes moving and the blood flowing while the foot heals.

How to do it

  1. Curl your toes downward, then straighten and spread them upward.
  2. Move only the toes — keep your ankle still in the boot or cast.

Tips

  • A gentle way to stay active in the first weeks.

Commonly done as 15-20 repetitions, a few times a day.

Where this appears in recovery

Toe Flexion & Extension is part of 29 recovery programs, most often at the immediate recovery (weeks 0–2), early recovery (weeks 2–6) and wound care and early motion (weeks 0–4) stages, among others. 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.