I would cut it back as far as you can where it still has leaves coming out. You can make cuttings of it. I'd suggest making 4"-6" cuttings. I'd wait until Spring to cut it back. Can you put it in a sunnier window?

It probably needs a larger pot too.

I can try to find a new place for it. The reason we've left it there is because it's so tall that if it goes anywhere else we have to 'hang' it from the roof. That's about as bright as that area gets, does it need a lot more sun? (Come to think of it, its lower leaves have all fallen off below the window line)
Can I get it bushy lower down too eventually? Or will it always have a five foot stick and then bush? I'd like to be able to dust its leaves without a ladder eventually.
And how big of a pot do you suggest? I can't find any bigger than the one it's already in. It fell out of its soil about a year ago and its roots only took up about half the pot, so I assumed it was okay.

You can trim it to be much lower than it is now. You need to keep some of the lower leaves on it though.

Trimming it will usually make it back bud, as in, branches will grow out of the lower part of it and in time, will fill it out.

if I were you, I'd do everything in June and then move it outside for the summer. Being outside is when you'll see it really take off.

It should get a full repot at that point too. As in, removing ALL of the old soil in and around the roots, pruning any damaged roots or ones that seem to wrap around the inside of the pot and strangle it. I'd put it in a pot about 2" bigger with fresh soil. How long has it been in the current pot? And what do you mean it fell out? As in, the pot slipped away from the soil and root mass completely in one piece? If so, then you definitely need to repot.

When you do bring it back inside next fall, put it in a spot that gets more light. That plant will take just about as much sun as you can give it. Right up in front of a southern facing window would be best.

Try your local nurseries or garden centers to see if you can buy a used pot from them. I used to find them curbside or at the dump. Or ask a local landscaper for one.

It's been in its current pot since we got it as far as I'm aware. When it fell out my cat slipped off the mantel above it and used the plant to catch herself, knocking the plant over. The roots seem to take up less than half the pot - I could probably hold all the roots in my hands easily if I wanted to.
We've never given it any vitamins or washed the leaves except for dusting, I assume they need that done?
Also is it possible to do serious pruning earlier than June? I'm planning on moving next month, and the new house doesn't have a ceiling high enough for it. I don't mind finding creative ways to weave its tall frame into the new house, but moving it may be tricky.

Thank you all for your help! :) sorry for so many questions,I want this plant to thrive again like it should be. It deserves it after struggling for so long. I've only grown catnip and tomatoes before so this is new territory for me.

Moving would be fairly easy. Pack newspaper around the top of the root bally then tape it to the pot, then put the pot in a plastic trash bag. This would be the easiest way to move it then you can just slide it in the door on its side without worrying about losing soil too much. I would also suggest a feeding regimen. Weakly weekly, about 1/4 strength every week from spring til fall.

I would trim it now, repot after moving (so it doesn't still have loose soil when moved.)

The detailed info here is excellent:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1497307/ukeeping-u-them-looking-good

All Ficus have latex sap, and it will probably flow/drip when you cut into it. Some people get a rash like poison ivy from getting the sap on their skin, and getting it in eyes/nose/mouth can require a trip to the ER, for anyone.

Good luck!

I agree, wear gloves when trimming it, also Elmer's white glue will seal the cuts so the sap doesn't continue to bleed.

I would cut that plant now. I would cut it about the height of the top of the stake. Just discard the rest unless you want to try to root it. Not the best time of the year but the tree will survive the cutting and probably respond well.

Once you cut the long branches off, put the plant in the sunniest window you have. These are plants which like a lot of sun. They grow in Florida in full sun.

Where do you live? What zone? If you are in a cold climate, wait until spring, May, June to do a repot.

Do as Dave recommends regarding the roots and repot in fresh soil.

Yes, watch the sap. Use plastic gloves when cutting.

Jane

I'm not sure which zone I'm in. I'm in Central Utah. Should I trim it down to the stake even if there's no leaves? There's one small offshoot neat the top of the stake, I could cut it above that.
Another question - are their leaves supposed to be wrinkled looking? Is that bad? This poor plant.
I'll for sure read the link, thank you!

The leaves should not be wrinkled. Seems like that could be from over or under watering (usually over watering).

If you do trim it back, yes, leave that shoot with some leaves on it. It needs leaves to photosynthesise and make energy to grow. Yes a plant can come back with no leaves, but this isn't a good time of year to try something like that.