Achilles Tendon Surgery Rehab
After open or minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair, a structured rehab pathway over several months follows. We work with a functional boot, graded load progression and objective testing — until you run and jump again.
Key facts
- First appointment within 48 hours
- Functional boot plus graded loading
- Accident insurance (UVG) after a sports accident · basic health insurance (with a doctor’s prescription)
- Locations in Zurich West and Kloten
Who this rehab is for
- Acute Achilles tendon rupture (managed surgically or conservatively)
- Chronic rupture (more than 4 weeks old — a more complex repair)
- Re-rupture (longer rehab, more cautious progression)
- With tendon reconstruction (plantaris or FHL transfer)
The rehab phases
Phase 1 — Protection phase
Weeks 0–6: walker boot with heel wedges, partial weight-bearing adapted to pain, pain-free mobility.
Phase 2 — Progressive loading
Weeks 6–12: transition to full weight-bearing, two-leg calf raises, light cardio loading.
Phase 3 — Strength building
Months 3–6: single-leg calf raises with added load, beginning return-to-running progression on soft ground.
Phase 4 — Return to sport
Months 6–9: able to walk, run and play sport — with jump tests and objective data.
What is different after Achilles tendon surgery
A repaired Achilles tendon has to heal biologically — that takes several weeks, and clear loading limits apply during this time. The walker boot is not a comfort accessory but an active protective measure. What we do in this phase: maintain mobility in the pain-free range, train the non-operated side, and build strength around the hip and knee so the Achilles stays offloaded. Cutting this phase short is the fastest route to a re-rupture.
The operating clinic’s protocol applies
We work regularly with foot and ankle surgeons in the region and implement each clinic’s aftercare protocol 1:1. The differences between open repair, minimally invasive repair and tendon reconstruction are clear — we follow the specific procedure.
What makes MTT different with us
Medical training therapy (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 Achilles surgery rehab this means dosed calf raises with added load, isokinetic strength testing in plantar and dorsal flexion, jump tests on force plates and a sport-specific running progression. That way we decide on a data basis when you return to sport. Read more about our treatment methods.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to wear the walker boot?
Typically 6–8 weeks, with gradual removal of the heel wedges. In the first weeks, partial weight-bearing adapted to pain; after that, increasingly full weight-bearing in the walker. The walker protects the repaired tendon from being stretched too early and is non-negotiable — the clinic protocol applies.
When can I walk without the walker again?
Typically after weeks 8–10, depending on how healing progresses and on the strength of your calf muscles. The transition is step by step: first at home without the walker, then in daily life in a sports shoe, then over longer distances. We check your load tolerance with you step by step.
When can I run again?
The return-to-running progression typically begins between months 3 and 4 after surgery, with initial run-walk intervals on soft ground. Full running distances and higher speeds are often possible after 6–9 months. Clearance is based on quantitative tests — calf strength compared side to side and jump performance.
Surgical or conservative — is the rehab different?
Both routes follow a similar phase model. Surgical management has a slightly stricter protocol in the first weeks because of the suture; conservative management allows somewhat earlier movement but a longer time in the walker. The evidence shows comparable outcomes with a structured loading programme on both routes.
Does accident insurance (UVG) cover my Achilles surgery rehab?
After a documented sports accident with an Achilles tendon rupture, Swiss accident insurance (UVG) covers 100% of the treatment costs — no doctor’s prescription needed. For a degenerative rupture without a clear accident, billing runs through basic health insurance (with a doctor’s prescription).
How is this different from conventional physiotherapy?
Medical training therapy (MTT) provides quantified load progression. For Achilles surgery rehab this means dosed calf-raise work on machines with precise load control, isokinetic strength testing of plantar flexion compared side to side, and jump tests on force plates. Your return to sport is based on data — not on the calendar.
Related: Sports injuries (Achilles tendinopathy) · ACL Rehab.
Booking: book online (German interface) or call us in English — Kloten 044 803 91 19, Zurich West 044 814 23 20.