Physiotherapy after an accident: quickly back in everyday life, work and sports
A fall while playing sports, a bike accident on the way to work, a dispute on the stairs: After an accident, the rapid start of physiotherapy often determines how quickly and completely you can return to everyday life, work, and sports. In our practice at Hönggerstrasse 118 in Zürich-Wipkingen, directly at the Waidfussweg tram stop (tram 50), we treat injuries after accidents – from the acute phase to returning to sports. Two parking spaces are available directly in front of the practice.
Book appointment online or call: 044 585 99 49
The most important in a nutshell
- If you are accident insured by your employer (UVG), you usually pay for the prescribed physiotherapy treatment. Neither franchise nor self-financing.
- We are counting Directly with the accident insurance company ab – You don’t have to rush into anything.
- You need one Medical prescription. The first appointment must be within 5 weeks after the exhibition takes place.
- Accident patients are given assistance as much as possible arrange an initial appointment in the short term.
Reimbursement of costs after an accident
Who pays for physiotherapy after an accident depends on how you are insured against accidents. This makes a big difference for your wallet – that’s why we explain it here in detail.
When does the Accident Insurance (UVG) pay out?
All employees in Switzerland are required by their employer to be accident insured, for example with Suva or a private accident insurance. Work at least eight hours per week If you work for the same employer, you are insured against occupational accidents and leisure accidents. The accident insurance then covers medically prescribed physiotherapy. complete – without a franchise and without a deposit.
If you work less than eight hours per week, you are only covered by occupational accident insurance through your employer; this also includes accidents on the way to and from work. Those receiving unemployment benefits are also covered by Suva accident insurance. After the end of an employment relationship, the accident protection continues for another 31 days.
When does the accident come under the health insurance?
If you are not covered by an employer for accident insurance – for example, as a child, student, pensioner, self-employed person without voluntary accident insurance, or a housewife and homemaker – your health insurance (KVG) covers accident treatment. Then the franchise and 10 % self-payment percentages apply as for illness. The same applies to accidents at work if you work less than eight hours per week.
What qualifies as an accident?
An accident is defined as a sudden, unintended external influence that causes damage to the body – for example, a fall, a collision, or a dispute. In addition, the accident insurance covers certain costs. Accident-like bodily injuries Even without a clear incident of injury, provided that it is not primarily due to wear and tear or illness. This includes, among other things, broken bones, sprains of joints, meniscus tears, muscle tears and muscle strains, tendon tears and ligament injuries. Whether a case is recognized is decided by the insurance company.
Recurrences and late consequences
If complaints from a previous, recognized accident recur later, the accident insurance can also cover this treatment. Report such a recurrence to your employer or your insurance company and have the original claim number confirmed.
That's what you bring to the first meeting
- The medical prescription for physiotherapy
- the details of the accident insurance with the claim number or case number
- Your insured card
- if available: medical reports, surgical report or images (X-rays, MRI)
Four steps to physiotherapy after an accident
- Report an accident: Report the accident to your employer or, if you are not employed, to your health insurance provider. You will receive a damage or incident number.
- Obtain the regulation: Your doctor will issue a prescription for physiotherapy. It usually includes nine treatments; the first appointment must be within 5 weeks.
- Schedule an appointment: Book online or call us and mention that it is an accident.
- Start treatment: Please bring the order and the claim number with you. We will process the billing directly with the insurance company.
This is how physiotherapy works after an accident
During the initial consultation, we take the time to take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination: How did the accident happen, which structures are affected, what has the doctor or specialist determined? This forms the basis of an individual treatment plan that is tailored to the patient's needs. Wound healing phases oriented.
Acute phase: Relieve pain and protect
In the first few days, the focus is on pain relief, swelling reduction, and protecting the injured tissue. We show you how to get around safely in everyday life and what you can do yourself to combat swelling and pain.
Build-up phase: regaining mobility and strength
As soon as the tissue becomes more resilient, we gradually work on mobility, strength, and coordination. With the Power measurement We compare the injured side with the healthy side and adjust the load specifically. On the Special exercise bike With a adjustable crank, cycling is often possible as early as now.
Return to work and sports
Finally, we train the stresses that you really need in your work or sports – in our Functional Training Area. For sports enthusiasts, it's about controlled activity. Return to sports. We keep the referring physician or the referring physician informed about the progress of the treatment.
Typical injuries that we treat after an accident
- Ligament tear and other knee injuries – conservative or after an operation
- Meniscus injuries
- Knee injuries after a fall or accident
- Sprain of the ankle and ligament tear and Foot injuries
- Shoulder dislocation and Muscle tears in the shoulder
- Muscle and tendon injuries after sports accidents
- Whiplash injury after a collision
- Bone fractures: Wrist, Ankle joint, Middle-foot bone, Knee joint and Cranial bone
- Further treatment after the hospital: Physiotherapy after hospital discharge
- Bone fractures after the end of the immobilization
Whiplash injury after a collision
After a collision, neck pain, headaches or dizziness often do not appear until hours or days later. Always have these symptoms first checked by a doctor. In physiotherapy, we then focus on early, controlled exercise instead of prolonged rest: gentle mobilization of the neck vertebrae, stabilization exercises for the neck muscles, and an exercise program that you can continue at home. For more information, read our guide. Whiplash trauma: symptoms, self-help and physiotherapy.
Our methods
Depending on the injury and healing phase, we combine Manual therapy to improve joint mobility, Sports Physiotherapy with active build-up training, Dry needling in cases of painful muscle tension as well as Manual lymphatic drainage in the case of swelling after injury or surgery. In addition, you will receive an exercise program for at-home use so that the progress made between appointments is not lost.
Was your injury surgically treated?
This page is about the process after an accident and how to claim from the insurance company. If you had surgery for your injury, you can find the details of the rehabilitation process on our page. Physiotherapy after surgery. You can read about the basic structure of structured rehabilitation in the article on Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy.
For referring female doctors
We know that a timely start of therapy is important after an accident, and we strive to provide accident patients with an initial appointment as soon as possible. You will receive progress reports from us and can contact us directly at any time if you have questions about the treatment: 044 585 99 49 or info@physio-waidfuss.ch.
Common questions about physiotherapy after an accident
Do I need a medical prescription after an accident?
Yes. To be covered by the accident insurance or the health insurance, you need a physiotherapy prescription from your doctor. The first appointment must be within 5 weeks of the prescription being issued.
Who pays for physical therapy after an accident?
For employees working eight hours a week or more, the employer's accident insurance (UVG), in full and without a franchise or deductible. For children, students, retirees, and all other non-working individuals, the accident coverage of the health insurance (KVG), then with a franchise and deductible.
Is a leisure or sports accident also covered?
Yes, if you have been employed by the same employer for at least eight hours per week. Then the accident insurance also covers accidents during leisure time and sports activities.
Do I have to undergo the treatment myself?
No. We directly settle with the accident insurance company. You will not receive an invoice from us unless the accident is recognized by the insurance company.
What happens if the insurance company does not recognize the accident?
If the accident insurance company refuses to cover the case, the treatment will be billed to your health insurance company. Then the franchise and 10% % deductible apply.
How many treatments do I need?
It depends on the injury and the course of treatment. A standard treatment plan usually includes nine treatments. If more is needed, your doctor will issue another prescription.
How quickly can I get an appointment after an accident?
It is best to contact us directly by phone and mention that it is an accident. You can also see available dates in our Online appointment booking.
Make an appointment
Call us at 044 585 99 49, write to info@physio-waidfuss.ch or Book your appointment directly online. All information about how to get there can be found on our Contact page.
Well-accessible from the entire catchment area
Our practice is located in Zürich-Wipkingen, directly at the Waidfussweg tram stop (tram 50), and is also easily accessible from the surrounding neighborhoods and municipalities: Höngg, Wipkingen, Escher-Wyss, Unterstrass, Affoltern, Oerlikon, Oberengstringen and Unterengstringen.