When Can You Exercise After a Foot Fracture?

If you fractured (broke) your foot, you’re looking at several weeks of recovery. Because you need to keep weight off the foot to allow it to heal, you’ll probably be in a boot or cast. You’ll also need crutches or a scooter. 

That likely means a period of living a relatively sedentary lifestyle. If you’re usually an active person, this can be challenging. You might be feeling the itch to get moving. 

We can help determine when it’s safe to get active again. At Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute, we are experts in treating foot and ankle fractures. That means our team can tailor a return-to-exercise plan for you based on which bone is fractured, its severity, and other factors that are specific to you. 

For help ramping up your exercise as soon and as safely as possible, visit us at Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute in American Fork or Saratoga Springs, Utah.

Getting back to your normal exercise routine

Your foot fracture could heal in a month. However, it could — and often does — take much longer. It’s not uncommon for a 12-week recovery period, and it might be even longer until you can return to high-impact activities like running and jumping.  

Our team can provide an estimated timeline based on your unique fracture. Remember, the timeline we give hinges on you taking the steps required to allow your foot to heal as quickly as possible.

That means keeping weight off the fracture. We can help you find the right tools to help — like a boot, scooter, or crutches. It’s important to be diligent about keeping weight off the foot. 

Exercises you can do 

While you need to keep weight off your foot to allow it to heal, you don’t need to immobilize the rest of your body. In fact, it may even be safe to do certain activities — like stationary cycling — while you’re in a boot. Once your foot has healed enough, swimming can be a good option because it’s no-impact. 

Visiting the gym or using free weights at home while seated or lying down can allow you to continue working out your upper body. You can also explore options like mat pilates that will enable you to work out while lying down. 

Additionally, YouTube has some videos specifically targeted for working out around a hurt foot. 

However, you shouldn’t launch into an activity just because our team said it is safe. As you get moving again, ease into it. Focus on your form to protect your foot. Stop immediately if you feel any pain in the fracture as you move. 

For more information about when you can return to your regular exercise routine, contact our team at the Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute by calling us at (801) 756-4200.