Exercise Program After a Lisfranc Fracture and Dislocation

Ankle and Foot Strengthening Exercises

Once you have regained flexibility and ROM around your foot and ankle, it is time to start working to regain normal strength in your ankle and foot. To do this, you can perform ankle-strengthening exercises with a resistance band. (Your physical therapist can give you a resistance band, or you can purchase one at a local sporting goods store.)

To perform resisted ankle exercises, tie one end of a resistance band around your foot, taking care not to restrict blood flow. Tie the other end around something stable, like a table leg. Move your foot in the same directions as you did during ankle ROM exercises earlier in this program: plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. Hold each position for a few seconds and press into the resistance provided by the exercise band.

Perform 10 to 15 repetitions of each exercise. You may wish to perform several sets of these exercises each day to maximize the challenge to your ankle muscles.

To strengthen the muscles within your foot, perform the towel scrunch exercise. This exercise helps to form the medial arch of your foot. To do the exercise, place your foot on a towel on the floor and simply use your toes to grab the towel and scrunch it up. Perform 10 to 15 repetitions of the towel scrunch exercise.