As you recover from bunion surgery in Brooklyn, NYC, your recovery requires specialized strengthening exercises. These are the best ways to a swift and effective recovery. At Best Foot Dr. NY, we guide you through a tailored exercise regimen that helps restore your foot’s functionality and strength. In this article, we discuss the exercises designed to accelerate your healing and enhance mobility after bunion surgery.
Initial Phase: Days 1–3 Foot Exercises Post-Bunion Surgery
Right after your bunion surgery, you should focus on gentle toe mobilization movements as your exercises for tailor’s bunion. Gentle toe wiggling can help reduce swelling and prevent stiffness. Perform toe wiggles several times daily, focusing on gentle upward and downward movements without straining your foot.
Early Recovery: Days 4–14 Foot Exercises Post-Bunion Surgery
After the first few days, your bunion doctor will give you a list of seated exercises you can start doing for flexibility and strength.
- Toe Flexes and Extensions: Sit with your foot flat on the ground and slowly flex your toes toward you and then away from you. This helps maintain joint motion and reduces stiffness.
- Heel Raises: Get in a seated position, then gently lift your heel off the ground while keeping your toes on the floor. Heel raises are a great way to strengthen the muscles around your new joint alignment.
Mid-Recovery: Weeks 2–4 Foot Exercises Post-Bunion Surgery
Once you can start to put weight on your foot, you should focus on enhancing your strength and balance, as your podiatrist in Brooklyn recommends.
- Assisted Toe Stretches: Using your fingers, gently stretch your toes back toward your shin and down toward the floor. Hold each position for a few seconds to help improve your flexibility.
- Balanced Standing: Stand with the support of a chair and slowly shift your weight onto the foot recovering from bunion surgery. Just go as far as you can tolerate. This promotes balance and weight bearing under controlled conditions.
Advanced Recovery: Weeks 4–6 Foot Exercises Post-Bunion Surgery
Before you know it, you’ll move on to progressive weight-bearing and strengthening post-bunion surgery exercises.
- Standing Heel Raises: Stand near a wall for balance and slowly raise your heels, putting weight on the balls of your feet. This strengthens your calf muscles and the supporting structures around your foot.
- Walking Drills: Start with short, controlled walks around your home, then gradually increase the distance as your recovery progresses. Walking helps with functional strength and encourages proper foot alignment after surgery.
Long-Term Recovery: Weeks 6 and Beyond
About a month and a half after your bunion surgery, you will gain full mobility and start conditioning your foot to get stronger.
- Resistance Band Workouts: Use a resistance band to do toe pulls by securing the band around your foot and pulling toward you while keeping your leg straight.
- Full-Weight Exercises: As your strength returns, start exercises like lunges or step-ups, focusing on controlled, pain-free movements. These exercises restore full function and prepare you for returning to all daily activities.
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery With Best Foot Dr. NY
Your recovery journey after bunion surgery is a pivotal step toward regaining a pain-free lifestyle. At Best Foot Dr. NY, we are committed to performing your bunion surgery with precision, and we’re here to support you through every phase of your recovery. Contact us today to schedule your consultation at our Brooklyn clinic and experience the highest standard of foot care.