Foot Pain Exercise Guide

Toe Range of Motion

Gently restores motion in the toes so they stay supple and mobile.

What it helps: Gently restores motion in the toes so they stay supple and mobile.

1. Seated, gently bend and straighten the toes, using your hand to assist if needed.
2. Hold each position briefly.
3. Stay within a comfortable, pain-free range.

Tips:

• Keep the movement gentle, within a comfortable, pain-free range.
• Your care team can guide how much toe motion is right for your recovery.

Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 10, as directed.

Plantar Fascia Stretch

Gently stretches the arch of the foot to keep it flexible.

What it helps: Keeps the arch of the foot flexible, easing the tension that can cause heel and arch pain.

1. Seated, cross the surgical foot over the opposite knee.
2. Gently pull the toes back toward you until you feel a light stretch along the arch.
3. Hold, then release.

Tips:

• Keep it gentle and within comfort, and begin only once your surgeon clears stretching.

Commonly done as 3 sets of 20–30 sec hold, daily.

Calf Stretch

Keeps the calf and Achilles flexible, easing tension on the arch.

What it helps: Keeps the calf and Achilles supple, easing tension through the ankle and the arch of the foot.

1. Stand facing a wall, hands on the wall, surgical leg back.
2. Keep the back knee straight and heel down, and lean forward until you feel a stretch in the calf.
3. Then bend the back knee slightly to stretch a little lower.

Tips:

• Keep the stretch gentle and steady — no bouncing.

Commonly done as 3 sets of 20–30 sec hold, daily.

Gentle Ankle Range of Motion

Keeps the ankle moving comfortably to restore gentle motion.

What it helps: Eases motion back into the ankle so it stays supple, within the limits your surgeon sets.

1. Seated, slowly point your foot down and bring it back toward neutral.
2. Gently move the foot side to side.

Tips:

• Stay within a comfortable, pain-free range — avoid forcing the foot.
• Your care team can guide how much ankle motion is right for your recovery.

Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 10, as directed.

Walking Program

Short, frequent walks build endurance and confidence.

What it helps: Comfortable, frequent walking keeps the joints loose, builds your stamina, and rebuilds confidence on your feet. Little and often beats long and tiring.

1. Take short walks at a comfortable pace.
2. Increase your distance gradually as you feel able.

Tips:

• Use your assistive device as directed.

Commonly done throughout the day.

Short Foot (Arch Doming)

Strengthens the small muscles that support and lift the arch of the foot.

What it helps: Strengthens the small muscles inside the foot that support and lift the arch — the foundation of a stable, well-supported foot for standing and walking.

1. Sit or stand with the foot flat. Without curling your toes, gently draw the ball of the foot back toward the heel so the arch lifts and shortens.
2. Hold the gentle arch lift, then relax.
3. Keep the toes long and relaxed — the work is in the arch, not the toes.

Tips:

• It's a small, subtle movement — the arch domes up a little.
• Keep the toes flat and relaxed; don't scrunch them.

Commonly done as 2–3 sets of Hold 5–10 sec ×8–10, daily.

Toe Curls

Strengthens the small muscles under the foot.

What it helps: Strengthens the small muscles under the foot that support your arch and grip the ground.

1. Seated with your foot flat, curl your toes downward as if gripping the floor.
2. Hold briefly, then relax.

Tips:

• Keep the motion gentle and controlled.

Commonly done as 2 sets of 10-15, daily.

Plantar Fascia Stretch

Gently stretches the arch of the foot to keep it flexible.

What it helps: Keeps the arch of the foot flexible, easing the tension that can cause heel and arch pain.

1. Seated, cross the surgical foot over the opposite knee.
2. Gently pull the toes back toward you until you feel a light stretch along the arch.
3. Hold, then release.

Tips:

• Keep it gentle and within comfort, and begin only once your surgeon clears stretching.

Commonly done as 3 sets of 20–30 sec hold, daily.

Calf Stretch

Keeps the calf and Achilles flexible, easing tension on the arch.

What it helps: Keeps the calf and Achilles supple, easing tension through the ankle and the arch of the foot.

1. Stand facing a wall, hands on the wall, surgical leg back.
2. Keep the back knee straight and heel down, and lean forward until you feel a stretch in the calf.
3. Then bend the back knee slightly to stretch a little lower.

Tips:

• Keep the stretch gentle and steady — no bouncing.

Commonly done as 3 sets of 20–30 sec hold, daily.

Walking Program

Short, frequent walks build endurance and confidence.

What it helps: Comfortable, frequent walking keeps the joints loose, builds your stamina, and rebuilds confidence on your feet. Little and often beats long and tiring.

1. Take short walks at a comfortable pace.
2. Increase your distance gradually as you feel able.

Tips:

• Use your assistive device as directed.

Commonly done throughout the day.

Short Foot (Arch Doming)

Strengthens the small muscles that support and lift the arch of the foot.

What it helps: Strengthens the small muscles inside the foot that support and lift the arch — the foundation of a stable, well-supported foot for standing and walking.

1. Sit or stand with the foot flat. Without curling your toes, gently draw the ball of the foot back toward the heel so the arch lifts and shortens.
2. Hold the gentle arch lift, then relax.
3. Keep the toes long and relaxed — the work is in the arch, not the toes.

Tips:

• It's a small, subtle movement — the arch domes up a little.
• Keep the toes flat and relaxed; don't scrunch them.

Commonly done as 2–3 sets of Hold 5–10 sec ×8–10, daily.

Toe Curls

Strengthens the small muscles under the foot.

What it helps: Strengthens the small muscles under the foot that support your arch and grip the ground.

1. Seated with your foot flat, curl your toes downward as if gripping the floor.
2. Hold briefly, then relax.

Tips:

• Keep the motion gentle and controlled.

Commonly done as 2 sets of 10-15, daily.

Heel Raises

Strengthens the calf and improves balance.

What it helps: Strengthens the calf and steadies your balance, rebuilding the push-off that drives walking.

1. Stand holding a counter.
2. Rise up onto your toes.
3. Lower slowly.

Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 10-15, once or twice a day.

Single-Leg Balance

Improves balance and stability.

What it helps: Trains your hip and leg to stay steady when all your weight is on one side — which is most of walking. Better balance means a surer, more confident step.

1. Stand near a counter for safety.
2. Lift one foot and balance on the other leg.
3. Hold as able.

Commonly done daily.

Walking Program

Short, frequent walks build endurance and confidence.

What it helps: Comfortable, frequent walking keeps the joints loose, builds your stamina, and rebuilds confidence on your feet. Little and often beats long and tiring.

1. Take short walks at a comfortable pace.
2. Increase your distance gradually as you feel able.

Tips:

• Use your assistive device as directed.

Commonly done throughout the day.

Short Foot (Arch Doming)

Strengthens the small muscles that support and lift the arch of the foot.

What it helps: Strengthens the small muscles inside the foot that support and lift the arch — the foundation of a stable, well-supported foot for standing and walking.

1. Sit or stand with the foot flat. Without curling your toes, gently draw the ball of the foot back toward the heel so the arch lifts and shortens.
2. Hold the gentle arch lift, then relax.
3. Keep the toes long and relaxed — the work is in the arch, not the toes.

Tips:

• It's a small, subtle movement — the arch domes up a little.
• Keep the toes flat and relaxed; don't scrunch them.

Commonly done as 2–3 sets of Hold 5–10 sec ×8–10, daily.

Heel Raises

Strengthens the calf and improves balance.

What it helps: Strengthens the calf and steadies your balance, rebuilding the push-off that drives walking.

1. Stand holding a counter.
2. Rise up onto your toes.
3. Lower slowly.

Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 10-15, once or twice a day.

Single-Leg Balance

Improves balance and stability.

What it helps: Trains your hip and leg to stay steady when all your weight is on one side — which is most of walking. Better balance means a surer, more confident step.

1. Stand near a counter for safety.
2. Lift one foot and balance on the other leg.
3. Hold as able.

Commonly done daily.

Toe Curls

Strengthens the small muscles under the foot.

What it helps: Strengthens the small muscles under the foot that support your arch and grip the ground.

1. Seated with your foot flat, curl your toes downward as if gripping the floor.
2. Hold briefly, then relax.

Tips:

• Keep the motion gentle and controlled.

Commonly done as 2 sets of 10-15, daily.

Low-Impact Recreational Activities

Enjoyable activities that protect your joint.

What it helps: Getting back to the activities you enjoy in ways that are kind to your joints — the whole point of building this strength.

Commonly done as you like.

Short Foot (Arch Doming)

Strengthens the small muscles that support and lift the arch of the foot.

What it helps: Strengthens the small muscles inside the foot that support and lift the arch — the foundation of a stable, well-supported foot for standing and walking.

1. Sit or stand with the foot flat. Without curling your toes, gently draw the ball of the foot back toward the heel so the arch lifts and shortens.
2. Hold the gentle arch lift, then relax.
3. Keep the toes long and relaxed — the work is in the arch, not the toes.

Tips:

• It's a small, subtle movement — the arch domes up a little.
• Keep the toes flat and relaxed; don't scrunch them.

Commonly done as 2–3 sets of Hold 5–10 sec ×8–10, daily.

Heel Raises

Strengthens the calf and improves balance.

What it helps: Strengthens the calf and steadies your balance, rebuilding the push-off that drives walking.

1. Stand holding a counter.
2. Rise up onto your toes.
3. Lower slowly.

Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 10-15, once or twice a day.

Single-Leg Balance

Improves balance and stability.

What it helps: Trains your hip and leg to stay steady when all your weight is on one side — which is most of walking. Better balance means a surer, more confident step.

1. Stand near a counter for safety.
2. Lift one foot and balance on the other leg.
3. Hold as able.

Commonly done daily.

Walking Program

Short, frequent walks build endurance and confidence.

What it helps: Comfortable, frequent walking keeps the joints loose, builds your stamina, and rebuilds confidence on your feet. Little and often beats long and tiring.

1. Take short walks at a comfortable pace.
2. Increase your distance gradually as you feel able.

Tips:

• Use your assistive device as directed.

Commonly done throughout the day.

Low-Impact Recreational Activities

Enjoyable activities that protect your joint.

What it helps: Getting back to the activities you enjoy in ways that are kind to your joints — the whole point of building this strength.

Commonly done as you like.