Hammer toe surgery and tendons?

I had hammertoe surgery and bunion surgery in January. My doctor told me to exercise my tendons so that my toes can bend. I can bend all my toes except my 2nd and third toe. It hurts really bad when I do the exercises, so I am wanting to know what else can I do to help with the bending of my toes. Can I soak in hot water or is it best to keep trying to bend and elevating with ice? How long will it be b4 I can bend my toes good?