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Flexor Tendon Repair (Leg) Starter Exercise Guide
A short starting program — 8 exercises drawn from the full 41-exercise program. These are the movements most people begin with.
Before you begin. This is general guidance, not a personal prescription. If your surgeon or therapist has given you a different program or different limits, follow theirs.
1. Elevation & Swelling Control
What it helps: Bringing the leg up reduces swelling and supports healing in the early weeks — simple, and it speeds your comfort.
How often: several times a day.
- Lie back and prop the foot above the level of your heart on pillows.
- Rest like this regularly through the day, especially after being up.
- Use ice as directed by your surgeon.
Tip: Elevation is one of the most helpful things you can do early on.
2. Heel Slides
What it helps: Coaxes gentle bending back into the knee — restoring the motion you need for stairs, sitting, and getting in and out of a car.
How often: 2-3 sets of 10, a few times a day.
- Lie on your back with your legs straight.
- Slowly slide your heel toward you, bending the knee.
- Slide it back down.
Tip: Only go as far as is comfortable.
3. Quad Sets
What it helps: Wakes up the quadriceps — the big thigh muscles that support and control your knee. Getting them firing is the foundation of a strong, steady leg.
How often: 2-3 sets of 10, a few times a day.
- Sit or lie with your leg straight.
- Tighten the muscle on top of your thigh, pressing the back of your knee down.
- Hold briefly, then relax.
4. Straight Leg Raises
What it helps: Builds quad and hip strength while the knee stays straight, so the muscle works hard without stressing the joint.
How often: 2-3 sets of 10, once or twice a day.
- Lie down with one leg bent and the other straight.
- Tighten your thigh and lift the straight leg a few inches.
- Lower slowly.
Tip: Keep the knee straight as you lift.
5. Glute Squeezes
What it helps: Wakes up the glutes — the big muscles that steady and support your hip. Getting them firing again is the first step toward a hip that feels stronger and carries you with less strain on the joint.
How often: 2-3 sets of 10, a few times a day.
- Lie or sit comfortably.
- Squeeze your buttock muscles together.
- Hold a few seconds, then relax.
6. Hip Abduction
What it helps: Strengthens the outer-hip muscles that keep your hip level and steady — strength you can build without putting any weight through your healing foot.
How often: 2-3 sets of 10, daily.
- Lie on your side with the surgical leg on top and both legs straight.
- Rest your head on your lower arm and your upper hand on the floor in front of you.
- Lift the top leg a comfortable distance, keeping it in line with your body.
- Lower slowly.
Tip: Keep your toes pointing forward, not up toward the ceiling — that is what keeps the work in the outer hip.
7. Hip Extension
What it helps: Strengthens the glutes and the muscles behind the hip that power each step — built while staying off the foot.
How often: 2-3 sets of 10, daily.
- Lie on your stomach, or stand holding a counter for support.
- Keeping your leg straight, lift it gently backward.
- Lower slowly.
Tip: Move from the hip and avoid arching your low back.
8. Walking with Assistive Device & Boot
What it helps: Short, protected walking in your boot with crutches or a walker — safe, gradual time back on your feet.
How often: throughout the day.
- Use your crutches, walker, or knee scooter as directed.
- Bear weight only as your surgeon allows.
- Take short, level walks.
Tip: Follow your weight-bearing instructions closely in the early weeks.
See the complete 41-exercise program, phase by phase.
What to expect in recovery
The full recovery guide for this procedure: Flexor Tendon Repair (Leg) recovery.
Recovery reading
Browse all exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education library
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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.