Introduction
Recovering from a broken leg typically involves a period of immobilisation (e.g., cast, splint, or limited weight‑bearing), followed by physiotherapy to restore movement, strength, balance, and function. Leg fractures can involve the tibia, fibula, or femur, and rehab is tailored to your healing stage and medical advice. Reference from Livestrong.
Why Physiotherapy Matters After a Broken Leg
After a leg fracture, muscles, joints, and balance systems become deconditioned. Physiotherapy helps by:
- Improving mobility and range of motion
- Strengthening muscles of the hip, thigh, knee, and ankle
- Restoring balance and functional gait
- Reducing stiffness and preventing long‑term compensation
Recovery is gradual and exercises must be progressed based on pain, healing, and clinical advice. References from Livestrong.
Ankle Circle Exercise
This type of exercise is often part of early rehabilitation to maintain joint mobility in the lower limb.
Rehabilitation Videos to Guide Your Exercises
Here are three free YouTube videos that demonstrate safe physiotherapy exercises relevant to leg injury and early rehab. You can embed these into your site:
🎥 Gentle Leg Mobility and Strength Exercises (Physio Guide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53l_Lt8VktM
🎥 Leg Rehabilitation Exercises After Injury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVrp0sNV1fg
🎥 Lower Limb Strength & Function Rehab Routine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gigqlpLgU0
1. Ankle Range of Motion (ROM)
Ankle mobility is often first to be reintroduced after the cast is removed or once you’re cleared for gentle motion.
How to do it:
- Sit or lie with your leg supported.
- Move your ankle up and down slowly.
- Then move the foot in circles clockwise and counterclockwise.
- Perform 10–20 reps each direction.
This early movement helps maintain joint lubrication and tendon flexibility. References from PhysioAdvisor.
2. Heel Slides
Heel slides help regain knee and hip flexion after a period of immobilisation.
How to do it:
- Lie on your back with both legs straight.
- Gently slide the heel of your injured leg toward your buttocks.
- Keep movements slow and controlled.
- Return to straight leg position.
- Repeat 10–15 times.
This exercise safely increases knee bending without heavy load.
3. Straight Leg Raises
This exercise strengthens the quadriceps and hip flexors without weight‑bearing.
How to do it:
- Lie on your back with one leg straight and the other supported.
- Tighten the thigh muscle of the straight leg and lift it a few inches.
- Lower slowly.
- Repeat 10–15 times, 2–3 sets.
It’s a foundational strength exercise in early leg rehab. You can see more information on a video here Dailymotion.
4. Sit‑to‑Stand
As weight‑bearing improves, functional strength exercises such as sit‑to‑stand become important.
How to do it:
- Sit tall in a sturdy chair.
- Push through your heels and stand up slowly.
- Sit down with control.
- Repeat 8–12 times, using support if needed.
This builds leg strength and improves confidence for walking.
5. Balance and Weight‑Shifting
Balance is often affected after leg fractures, especially once you start standing again.
How to do it:
- Stand near a wall or sturdy surface.
- Shift weight gently from one foot to the other.
- Try balancing briefly on the injured leg with support.
- Repeat for 30–60 seconds per side.
Balance training helps restore confidence and reduce fall risk.
Tips for Safe Broken Leg Rehabilitation
✔ Always follow your doctor’s or physiotherapist’s instructions.
✔ Start with low loads and progress slowly.
✔ Avoid high‑impact movements until cleared.
✔ Stop if sharp pain or swelling increases.
Physiotherapy is about controlled progression, not speed — gradual gains are more sustainable.
When to See a Physiotherapist
Seek hands‑on physiotherapy if:
- Range of motion is limited after several weeks
- Pain persists or increases during movement
- You struggle with basic daily tasks
- Balance or gait remains unsafe
A physiotherapist will tailor your exercise programme to your fracture site, healing stage, and goals.
Summary
Rehabilitation after a broken leg involves a series of gentle exercises to restore mobility, strength, and balance. Start with simple range of motion and progress to functional strength and balance activities once you’re medically approved. Embedding the linked videos and image above helps patients understand and perform these movements with confidence.
You can make a booking online or call us on 0478 260 200. For a limited time, we have free discovery sessions where you get assessed by our physiotherapists and given an outline of how we can help you to have full confidence in working with us. We also offer promotions that include discounted initial sessions to incentivise getting started with your rehabilitation journey.