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Muscle Injuries

Hamstring strain, calf muscle tear, adductor injury, quadriceps: we work with structured phase models and objective load progression — against the thing that makes muscle injuries so treacherous: the risk of re-injury.

Key facts

Typical complaints we treat

When to see a physio after a muscle injury

As early as possible — with a clear mechanism (sudden stabbing pain while sprinting, kicking or jumping) and restricted loading, the rule is: appointment within the first 48 hours. Early, dosed movement beats complete rest. The current PEACE & LOVE concept explicitly favours active load modulation over the classic ice-and-rest approach.

With a visible dent in the muscle belly, complete loss of function or bruising without a clear trauma, a medical assessment with imaging should come first — that could be a higher-grade tear or another cause.

Conservative or surgical — and where we come in

The vast majority of muscle injuries are treated conservatively. Surgery is the exception — complete ruptures at the muscle-tendon junction with loss of function, bony avulsions of the hamstring, and some rare quadriceps or adductor tendon detachments. In those cases we support prehab and the post-operative phase according to the clinic’s protocol.

What makes MTT different with us

With us, MTT doesn’t happen in a back room — it takes place in the main area of our Sport Performance Center, with the same equipment the pros train on. For muscle injuries, that means isokinetic strength testing in open and closed chain, sprint loading at controlled speeds and Nordic hamstring curls in a dosed progression. That is how we demonstrably lower the risk of re-injury.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a hamstring injury take to heal?

With a grade I strain, return to sport is typically possible after 2–3 weeks, with grade II after 4–8 weeks, with grade III it takes several months. Re-injuries are common — without structured rehab, the re-injury rate for hamstring injuries is over 20 percent. With a phase model and sprint testing, we can lower that risk considerably.

What is PEACE & LOVE?

PEACE & LOVE is the current acute-care protocol for muscle injuries — it replaces the classic RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation). It emphasises Protection, Elevation, Avoid anti-inflammatories, Compression and Education in the acute phase, and Load, Optimism, Vascularisation and Exercise in rehab. Active, dosed loading beats complete rest.

When can I sprint again?

Return to sport is based on clear tests, not the calendar. We check symmetry of maximal strength, sprint speed and sport-specific movement patterns. For hamstring injuries, progressive sprint stages with increasing speed are the most important indicator of load capacity.

How do I reduce the risk of re-injury?

Eccentric training (for example Nordic hamstring curls) is evidence-based for reducing hamstring re-injuries — up to 50 percent fewer recurrences in professional teams. We integrate the programme into the final rehab phase and into your prevention routine.

Does UVG accident insurance cover my muscle injury rehab?

For a documented sports accident, Swiss accident insurance (UVG) covers 100 percent of the treatment costs — without a doctor’s prescription. For degenerative or load-related complaints without a clear accident, billing runs through basic health insurance (KVG) with a doctor’s prescription.

What is different about MTT compared with conventional physio?

Medical training therapy (MTT) provides the quantitative basis for your return to sport. For muscle injuries, that means isokinetic strength testing compared side to side, sprint loading in speed stages and sport-specific cutting drills. Your return to sport is based on data, not on gut feeling.

Booking: book online (German interface) or call us in English — Kloten 044 803 91 19, Zurich West 044 814 23 20.