Researchers are saying: Not so fast! When patients return to full activity too soon after this surgery, they risk fracturing the foot again. This is true even when patients' symptoms have gone away. How do you know when it's time? Your doctor can take X-rays to see whether the bones have healed together completely. Then and only then should you return to high-impact activities like basketball.

Be sure to get your doctor's okay before you go back to your normal activities. Your patience will pay off in better results. In one study, patients who put off activities just two more weeks after this surgery (nine weeks total) were a lot less likely to have another fracture or other problems.