Joint Replacement Rehab

Structured aftercare after a total hip or knee replacement (total endoprosthesis). Gait training, strength building and everyday load capacity — moving through daily life pain-free, without walking aids. We connect seamlessly to your outpatient or inpatient rehab phase.

Key facts

• First appointment within 48 hours
• Covered by basic health insurance (with a doctor’s prescription)
• We follow the aftercare protocols of all Swiss clinics
• Locations in Zurich West and Kloten

Who this rehab is for

• Hip replacement after hip osteoarthritis (primary implantation)
• Knee replacement after knee osteoarthritis (primary implantation)
• Bilateral joint replacement (both sides)
• Revision surgery (implant exchange) — longer aftercare needed

The rehab phases

Phase 1 — Acute phase

Weeks 0–2: pain management, swelling reduction and early mobilisation according to your clinic’s protocol.

Phase 2 — Gait training

Walking safely — with and eventually without walking aids. Stairs, kerbs, everyday routes. Dislocation prevention.

Phase 3 — Strength for everyday life

Graded strength building for the hip, thigh and trunk. Stability and balance.

Phase 4 — Full everyday capacity

Pain-free through daily life — stairs, walks, the garden, travel.

When to start physiotherapy after a joint replacement

Ideally directly after your outpatient or inpatient rehab phase — as soon as you leave the clinic. A first appointment can typically be arranged before you are discharged from the acute hospital, so the transition is seamless. We follow the aftercare protocol of the operating clinic and speak directly with the surgical team if anything is unclear.

What we do after a hip or knee replacement

The first weeks focus on pain management, swelling reduction and early, safe mobilisation — all within your clinic’s guidelines. This is followed by structured gait training (with and eventually without walking aids), targeted strength building for the hip, thigh and trunk, and everyday-specific loading such as climbing stairs, standing up and stepping over thresholds. We work regularly with joint replacement centres in the region.

What makes medical training therapy (MTT) different for joint replacement patients

MTT does not happen in a back room but in the main area of our Sport Performance Center — with the same equipment professionals train on. For joint replacement patients this means carefully dosed strength training with controlled loads (no maximal strength tests, no jerky movements) and targeted building of the muscles you need for standing and walking. The goal is stairs, walks, the garden and travel — not competitive sport. Read more about our treatment methods.

Frequently asked questions

How long does rehab take after a hip or knee replacement?

The intensive aftercare phase typically lasts 3–6 months. In the first six weeks the focus is on gait training, pain control and dislocation prevention; structured strength building starts from week 6. Full everyday capacity is usually reached after 4–6 months. Revisions or additional health conditions can extend this timeline.

When can I drive again after surgery?

That depends on which side was operated on, whether you drive a manual car, and freedom from pain — typically 4–6 weeks after a hip replacement and 6–8 weeks after a knee replacement. Clearance is given by your doctor, not by physiotherapy. We train the joint mobility you need to get in and out of a car safely.

What do I need to watch out for in the first months (dislocation prevention)?

After a hip replacement, movement rules apply in the first weeks depending on the surgical approach: no extreme flexion beyond 90 degrees, no internal rotation while the hip is flexed, no crossing your legs. The exact instructions come from the operating clinic — we practise everyday movement patterns with you (standing up, getting dressed, sleeping position).

Does health insurance cover joint replacement rehab?

Yes — with a doctor’s prescription, basic health insurance covers 9 sessions of 30 minutes. Joint replacement patients typically receive several follow-up prescriptions — we coordinate this with your referring doctor. If the joint replacement is the result of an accident, accident insurance (UVG) also covers the costs.

Do I need a doctor’s prescription?

For billing through basic health insurance (KVG), yes. Self-paying patients can book without a prescription — this can make sense when your outpatient rehab phase is ending and you want to keep working on everyday capacity.

Stairs, sitting, sleeping — what can I do?

Stairs are trained early (first with crutch support, later hands-free). Avoid deep sitting until cleared — a raised seat cushion helps at the start. Sleeping is usually on your back with a positioning pillow for 4–6 weeks, then increasingly on your side. The exact instructions come from your clinic; we practise putting them into action in daily life.

Related: ACL Rehab · Hip Arthroscopy Rehab.

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