Ask a PT Response: "Just curious if you participated in physical therapy after your surgery? If not, it may be a good idea to work with a PT to help you return to basketball. As far as your question goes in regards to building calf strength there are a variety of exercises which I have my patients perform. For example the progression after this surgery would be seated heel raises->ankle plantarflexion isometric strengthening->resistive ankle plantarflexion strengthening with various colors thera-band->calf press machine->standing bilateral heel raises->standing single leg heel raises->etc.... As far as your stiffness goes, it should go away in most cases once full range of motion and arthrokinematics at the ankle joint is achieved and swelling is eliminated. I also anticipate that your affected leg will be most likely weak as well so strengthening of the other muscles at the affected leg may be required. Best of luck with your recovery."