Exercise should be rebuilt in stages. Upper-body or seated training may be possible early if the foot remains protected. Stationary cycling, pool exercise, longer walking, gym loading and running are introduced at different points and only when wounds, bone healing and footwear allow.
Published return-to-sport studies show wide variation. Older data reported an average return to activity of about nine weeks after first-metatarsal osteotomy in an athletic cohort, while other studies show that full sporting recovery can take several months and residual limitations may persist into the second year. These figures describe groups, not guarantees for an individual.
No-impact conditioning before forefoot-loading exercise.
Controlled walking before jogging.
Straight-line running before cutting, jumping or court sports.
Sport-specific drills before unrestricted competition.
Increase one variable at a time: duration, frequency, intensity or impact.
Can fitness delay be avoided?
Fitness can often be maintained with safe alternatives, but protecting the correction takes priority. Substituting exercise must not introduce fall risk, wound contamination or unplanned forefoot loading.