Ankle Pain: Expert Physiotherapy for Ankle & Achilles in Zurich

Struggling with ankle pain or Achilles tendon issues can make everyday movement feel tough, whether it’s a recent sprain, long-term discomfort, or swelling with no clear cause. 

At PhysioWelt in Zurich, we understand how frustrating this can be. That is why we focus on personalized, scientifically grounded treatment to relieve your pain, support healing, and help you get back on your feet.

Understanding Ankle Pain

The ankle is a strong, complex joint that bears your body weight with every step. Pain can originate from the bones, ligaments, Achilles tendon, or surrounding tissues. At PhysioWelt, we take your pain seriously. Our goal is to identify the exact cause so we can treat it effectively from day one.

Common Causes of Ankle Pain

• Ankle sprains: The most common type of acute ankle injury. A sprain usually occurs when you forcefully twist your ankle, stretching or tearing the supporting ligaments.
• Achilles tendonitis: A common overuse injury causing acute pain in the Achilles tendon, especially when walking or running. It often affects active individuals who suddenly increase training intensity (e.g., runners who scale their training distance too quickly) and can lead to stiffness, particularly in the morning.
• Haglund’s deformity (Haglund’s heel or retrocalcaneal exostosis): Heel pain near the Achilles insertion is often caused by a bony bump on the back of the heel. This bump can increase pressure on the tendon and surrounding tissue, leading to inflammation and discomfort, especially when wearing tight shoes.
• Heel bursitis (retrocalcaneal bursitis): This refers to inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac located at the back of the heel near the ankle. It often causes localized pain, especially when walking, running, or touching the affected area.
• Chronic ankle instability: This often develops after repeated sprains. The ankle may feel weak, painful, or unstable during daily activities or even while standing, typically indicating that the ligaments have not healed correctly.

Our Evidence-Based Treatment Approach

Your recovery at PhysioWelt is an active partnership. After a thorough assessment, we create a personalized plan focused on proven strategies.

Load Management

For new injuries, we use load management to protect the area while keeping it gently active. For long-term tendon issues like Achilles Tendinopathy, controlling the load placed on the tendon is crucial for recovery.

Manual Therapy

We use hands-on techniques to improve joint mobility, reduce swelling, and relieve pain in the ankle joint and surrounding tissues.

Progressive Loading

Gradual strengthening is the foundation of recovery for most ankle and Achilles conditions. We guide you through a structured exercise program to build calf muscle strength, improve balance and body awareness, as well as support tendon healing.

Complementary Therapies

When necessary, we may use supportive techniques like taping the Achilles tendon to improve blood circulation, reduce strain on the tendon, support surrounding muscles, and prevent further injury while maintaining natural heel movement.