Recovering from a foot or leg cast requires careful management to avoid exacerbating the injury and to facilitate a safe return to physical activity.
After casting, the body and especially the foot or leg need gradual rehabilitation before resuming sports. Here is all you need to know about returning to sports after removing a cast from your foot to ensure a proper recovery.
1. Take care of your foot in remission
It can be tempting to immediately resume running, basketball, or other activities, but rushing back can disrupt healing. Immobilization leads to musculoskeletal symptoms affecting mobility such as:
- Stiffness in ankle and toe joints;
- Mild discomfort in the leg;
- Muscle atrophy in leg and foot;
- Lameness when walking;
- Muscle weakness;
- Difficulty straightening the foot;
- Dry skin on the affected foot.
2. Gradually reactivate your muscles
Rehabilitation is essential after cast removal. Some exercises can be done with a physiotherapist, but daily self-care exercises help mobilize muscles and joints. Recommended movements include:
- Ankle flexion: Sit and slowly bend your ankle up and down about 20 times.
- Foot rotation: Draw imaginary circles with your foot clockwise and counterclockwise about 20 times each.
- Calf muscle strengthening*: Using a chair for support, rise on toes, hold for 3 seconds, lower, repeat 10 times in 2–3 sets.
- Balance exercises*: Stand on the affected foot, hold as long as possible, for approximately 3 minutes.
*These exercises should only be performed if you can walk unassisted and have your doctor’s approval.
3. Wait for the podiatrist to give you the green light
The podiatrist evaluates your readiness to restart physical activity by checking for:
- Restored ankle range of motion;
- Recovery of leg and foot muscle strength;
- Proper balance;
- Absence of pain even with wide movements;
- Complete disappearance of swelling.
If needed, further rehabilitation will be recommended. The podiatrist will guide you towards the best approach for pain management and recovery.