Hammertoe Correction Starter Exercise Guide

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.

1. Lie back and prop the foot above the level of your heart on pillows.
2. Rest like this regularly through the day, especially after being up.
3. Use ice as directed by your surgeon.

Tip: Elevation is one of the most helpful things you can do early on.

2. Ankle Pumps

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 often: 20 repetitions, several times a day.

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

Tip: Move slowly and with control.

3. 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.

1. Use your crutches, walker, or knee scooter as directed.
2. Bear weight only as your surgeon allows.
3. Take short, level walks.

Tip: Follow your weight-bearing instructions closely in the early weeks.

4. Ankle Alphabet

What it helps: Moves the ankle through its full range while you trace each letter — restoring motion in every direction.

How often: 1-2 sets of A–Z, a few times a day.

1. With the leg supported, slowly "draw" each letter of the alphabet using your big toe.
2. Move from the ankle, keeping the leg still.

Tip: Move within a comfortable, pain-free range.

5. 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.

1. Sit or lie with your leg straight.
2. Tighten the muscle on top of your thigh, pressing the back of your knee down.
3. Hold briefly, then relax.

6. 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.

1. Lie or sit comfortably.
2. Squeeze your buttock muscles together.
3. Hold a few seconds, then relax.

7. 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.

1. Lie down with one leg bent and the other straight.
2. Tighten your thigh and lift the straight leg a few inches.
3. Lower slowly.

Tip: Keep the knee straight as you lift.

8. Seated Knee Extensions

What it helps: Keeps the thigh strong and the knee straightening well while you stay off your feet.

How often: 2-3 sets of 10, once or twice a day.

1. Sit tall in a chair with your back supported and your foot resting on a low stool.
2. Straighten your knee, lifting the lower leg until it is level with your thigh.
3. Hold for a moment, then lower it slowly back down to the stool.

Tip: Let your thigh do the work — the lift comes from straightening the knee.

What to expect in recovery

The full recovery guide for this procedure: Hammertoe Correction recovery.

Recovery reading

• Bunion Surgery Recovery
• Achilles Tendon Surgery Recovery
• Ankle Fracture Surgery Recovery
• Walking After Foot Surgery
• All Foot & Ankle recovery guides