“Should I exercise if I have ankle arthritis?”
I have ankle arthritis. Should I exercise if I have ankle arthritis?
14 Answers
AcupuncturePodiatrist
I don't recommend exercise until after treatment has begun and progressed to a point where it is safe. I recommend the modalities of acupuncture, herbs and massage 2-3 times a week for 4-6 weeks to get the best result.
yes ,
Exercise is important for all of us. But any arthritis may worsen with overuse of the joint
Yes, in most cases, exercise is beneficial for ankle arthritis. Regular, low-impact movement helps maintain joint function, reduce stiffness, and strengthen the muscles supporting the ankle, which can alleviate pain and improve mobility. However, the key is choosing the right type and intensity of exercise to avoid exacerbating symptoms.
Recommended exercises for ankle arthritis include:
• Range-of-motion exercises (e.g., ankle circles, toe stretches) to maintain flexibility.
• Strengthening exercises (e.g., resistance band work, calf raises) to support the joint.
• Low-impact activities (e.g., swimming, cycling) to promote circulation without excessive strain.
• Balance and stability training to reduce the risk of falls or further joint damage.
However, high-impact activities (e.g., running, jumping) and exercises that cause sharp pain should be avoided. If you experience increased swelling or discomfort, modify your routine or consult a physician.
I recommend discussing an individualized exercise plan with a doctor or physical therapist to ensure you’re moving in a way that benefits your condition without causing further damage. Would you like specific exercise recommendations?
Recommended exercises for ankle arthritis include:
• Range-of-motion exercises (e.g., ankle circles, toe stretches) to maintain flexibility.
• Strengthening exercises (e.g., resistance band work, calf raises) to support the joint.
• Low-impact activities (e.g., swimming, cycling) to promote circulation without excessive strain.
• Balance and stability training to reduce the risk of falls or further joint damage.
However, high-impact activities (e.g., running, jumping) and exercises that cause sharp pain should be avoided. If you experience increased swelling or discomfort, modify your routine or consult a physician.
I recommend discussing an individualized exercise plan with a doctor or physical therapist to ensure you’re moving in a way that benefits your condition without causing further damage. Would you like specific exercise recommendations?
Yes, exercise is highly beneficial for ankle arthritis! It helps reduce stiffness, strengthens the muscles supporting your joints, improves flexibility, and can ease pain over time. However, choosing the right types of exercises is crucial to avoid worsening your symptoms.
Best Exercises for Ankle Arthritis:
✅ Low-Impact Cardio: Walking (on soft surfaces), swimming, or cycling.
✅ Range of Motion: Ankle circles, alphabet tracing, and toe-to-heel rocks.
✅ Strengthening: Seated heel raises, towel scrunches, and resistance band exercises.
✅ Stretching: Calf stretches and Achilles tendon stretches to maintain flexibility.
✅ Balance Work: Standing on one foot (with support if needed) to strengthen stabilizing muscles.
Exercise Tips:
✔ Warm up before and cool down after every session.
✔ Start with short, gentle sessions and gradually increase.
✔ Avoid high-impact activities like running or jumping.
✔ Listen to your body—stop if you feel sharp pain.
Bottom Line: Regular, joint-friendly exercise keeps your ankles mobile, reduces inflammation, and supports long-term joint health.
Best Exercises for Ankle Arthritis:
✅ Low-Impact Cardio: Walking (on soft surfaces), swimming, or cycling.
✅ Range of Motion: Ankle circles, alphabet tracing, and toe-to-heel rocks.
✅ Strengthening: Seated heel raises, towel scrunches, and resistance band exercises.
✅ Stretching: Calf stretches and Achilles tendon stretches to maintain flexibility.
✅ Balance Work: Standing on one foot (with support if needed) to strengthen stabilizing muscles.
Exercise Tips:
✔ Warm up before and cool down after every session.
✔ Start with short, gentle sessions and gradually increase.
✔ Avoid high-impact activities like running or jumping.
✔ Listen to your body—stop if you feel sharp pain.
Bottom Line: Regular, joint-friendly exercise keeps your ankles mobile, reduces inflammation, and supports long-term joint health.
Exercise is recommended but avoid high impact activity. I recommend you make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) for further recommendations.
Yes, exercising with ankle arthritis can be very beneficial, but it’s important to approach it carefully and make sure the exercises are appropriate for your condition.
No, please don't do exercise when you have arthritis, it will hurt your ankle.
check with a PT first
Yes, everything to tolerance and with a support brace. I've afterwards if swollen.
Yes, exercising will help the arthritis in the ankle by keeping the muscles in the ankle strong to stabilize the joint. However, it would be best to be cautious with the type of exercises. I would not recommend high impact types of exercises like running or sprinting on concrete or asphalt. Low impact exercises would be best, such as bicycles, ellipticals, and resistant training.
To answer your question exercise is a broad term. You should avoid high impact activities with ankle arthritis, but exercise like on a bicycle or a glide machine would be less of an impact. But simple active range of motion while sitting and moving the foot in all directions like in Writing the alphabet With your foot, then using a Thera band for some resistance in those directions would be beneficial to the muscles around the ankle and foot.
Yes however I would avoid impact activities such as running and jumping. Swimming is a wonderful exercise for arthritis is any joint.
Great question! Arthritis is so painful it causes some people to not exercise out of concern that it may damage their joints. But, what science tells us is this: There are three things that help slow the progression of arthritis and improve joint function 1. Moving the joint through its range of motion (Ie: moving your ankle up,down and around in circles) 2. Strengthening the muscles around the arthritic joint, The stronger the muscles, the more you prevent artritis from worsening. Weak ankle joints wear out fast. Stronger ankles are less painful and stay better, longer. Stand on a step/stair with your heels hanging off the step. hold on to the rail and raise your heel as high as you can then lower it as low as you can (that helps with #1 and 2 above) 3. Keep the joints aligned. A joint that is poorly aligned (like knock knees, etc) wears out faster. Sometimes gentle chiropractic care (I recommend and do Activator Methods) can be helpful to re-align the bones around any joint, including the ankle. This gives relief to many patients. So, there you have it. YES to exercise! But always, start slowly and gradually to increase your strength and range of motion. Hope this helps!
