Big Toe Joint Exercises To Restore Movement After Bunion Surgery

Post-op rehab is a part of any surgical procedure – including minimally invasive bunion surgery. In this article, we are going to outline some rehabilitation exercises that can help restore movement in the big toe following minimally invasive bunion surgery.

After 3 Days Post Operatively

(5 times / day)

Remove orthopedic shoe or boot. Bandage kept on. Don’t worry if you feel the movements are restricted in the bandage, even a small amount of movement is good.

1. Toe lifts x 20: Sit with foot flat on floor, raise toe as far as possible to ceiling and return
2. Toe bends x 20: Sit with toes resting over the edge of a thick book, bend toes towards the floor
3. Toe pulls x 20: Pull toe up with hand to discomfort and hold for 3 seconds, relax
4. Toe pushes x 20: Point ankle and toes down (like a ballerina), push toe down with hand to discomfort and hold for 3 seconds, relax

After 1 Week Post Operatively

(5 times / day)

1. Seated heel raises x 20: Sit with foot flat on floor; knees bent 90⁰ keeping toes on floor, raise heel to the limit of pain and return

After 2 and 3 Weeks Post Operatively

(5 times / day)

Continue exercises 1-5.

After 4 weeks Post Operatively

(5 times / day)

1. Standing both heel raises x 20: Stand close to a wall for balance, raise heels to the limit of toe pain and hold for 3 seconds
2. Standing single heel raises x 20: Stand close to a wall for balance, stand on one leg, raise heel to the limit of toe pain and hold for 3 seconds. This requires good balance; don’t worry if you can’t do it.
3. Standing lunges x20: Place operated foot 1 step behind you, bend both knees, concentrating on bending the toe and hold for 3 seconds

After 6 weeks – 3 months Post Operatively

Continue exercises 6 – 8 until full mobility restored.