There's good reason to perform calf raises - they have long been accepted as one of the most effective ways to build the muscles of the lower leg.
Indeed, calf raises are used by everyone from bodybuilders to runners, footballers to gymnasts. They are also used extensively in rehab.
The usual progression is to begin with two legs, in order to share the loading with the 'good' leg. If this is comfortable, then you can progress to performing them one leg at a time, taking care when loading the injured leg.
The beauty of this exercise is that it requires no equipment beyond a step, and can thus be easily done at home.
To start, stand with the front of the feet on a step or stair, the heels off the stair.
Slowly lower the heels until they can go no further, then using the muscles at the rear of the lower leg (the calf muscles), raise the heels as high as possible.
Pause at the top of the movement, then slowly lower back down. The key to this exercise is the eccentric component, the lowering phase, which should be done slowly.
Regularly performing three sets of ten repetitions will soon improve strength to this area.
