What it's about
Outpatient rehab with a CPM device instead of three weeks inpatient.
About CHF 10,800 lower rehab costs for CHF 324 in rental.
Every franc of rental saves about 34 francs.
Better knee flexion than after inpatient rehab.
About CHF 10,800 lower rehab costs per case. That is how much can be saved after a knee replacement when rehab takes place on an outpatient basis, with physiotherapy and a CPM device at home, instead of as an inpatient. We did the math item by item, using Swiss tariffs and the studies available on the subject. First the savings, then the cost of the device.
Saving 1: Outpatient instead of inpatient rehab
A knee replacement is often followed by inpatient rehab. One day of musculoskeletal rehabilitation in Switzerland costs about CHF 606 under the ST Reha tariff, or about CHF 12,700 for three weeks.
A randomized study from Germany (Sauer and Egermann, 2017) compared three weeks of inpatient rehab with outpatient physiotherapy plus a CPM device at home. The outpatient group was able to bend the knee better at every point in time, about 122 instead of 112 degrees on average after one year. A cost analysis of this study (Bretzke et al., 2017) found costs about 45 percent lower in Germany.
For Switzerland, we calculated the outpatient option generously: daily physiotherapy as in the study, meaning two sessions per working day for three weeks. That is 30 sessions at CHF 53, or about CHF 1,600. Compared with inpatient rehab, this leaves about CHF 11,100 per case. The CPM device makes this approach possible; its cost follows below.
Saving 2: Fewer stiff knees
If a knee becomes too stiff after surgery, it sometimes needs mobilization under anesthesia or surgical release of adhesions, known as arthrolysis. Inpatient arthrolysis costs about CHF 6,750 to 7,300 under SwissDRG. The Cochrane review of CPM after knee replacement (24 studies, 1,445 patients) found fewer mobilizations under anesthesia with a CPM device: 25 instead of 72 per 1,000 patients. This benefit also comes on top of the calculation.
The cost of the device: CHF 324 for four weeks
A knee CPM device from WINTER Medizintechnik AG costs CHF 8 per day. In addition, there is a one-time base fee of CHF 100 for personal setup, instruction and device service. All prices include VAT.
28 days × CHF 8 = CHF 224
Base fee = CHF 100
Total: CHF 324
We calculate with four weeks of rental, one week longer than the outpatient rehab in the study. On request, we deliver the device to your home; the cost depends on the distance.
Summary
Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Inpatient rehab, 3 weeks | CHF 12,700 |
Outpatient physiotherapy, 30 sessions | CHF 1,600 |
Rehab costs saved | CHF 11,100 |
Knee CPM rental, 4 weeks | CHF 324 |
Net savings | CHF 10,800 |
Ratio | Every franc of rental saves about 34 francs |
Outpatient rehab with a CPM device costs less and leads to better knee flexion. Fewer procedures for stiff knees are not even included.
What this means for insurers
The List of Aids and Appliances (MiGeL) currently has no item for CPM devices after surgery or for the knee. That is exactly where the costs arise that a device can reduce: inpatient rehab days. For health and accident insurers, a cost approval can therefore pay off quickly.
Our experience from over 30,000 patients
WINTER Medizintechnik AG has already supplied more than 30,000 patients with CPM devices. From this data, we see that outcomes in practice are often even better than in the studies. Our calculation is therefore deliberately conservative.
Conclusion
Four weeks of knee CPM cost CHF 324. The device makes outpatient rehab possible, which costs about CHF 10,800 less and leads to better knee flexion. It complements physiotherapy rather than replacing it. You can read more about the costs and benefits of the knee CPM device in this article and the calculation for the shoulder in the article Does a shoulder CPM device pay off after surgery?. You can find all prices on our pricing page.
Sources
Sauer V, Egermann M. Rehabilitation procedures after total knee replacement, a prospective randomized comparative study. Endoprothetikkongress Berlin 2017.
Bretzke P et al. Treatment costs after knee replacement surgery. Gesundh ökon Qual manag 2017; 22: 255-263. DOI
Harvey LA, Brosseau L, Herbert RD. Continuous passive motion following total knee arthroplasty in people with arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014. DOI
SwissDRG ST Reha 3.0 and SwissDRG 15.0, base prices according to the Price Supervisor Newsletter 2/2026. ANQ, National Comparative Report on Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 2024.
List of Aids and Appliances (MiGeL), status July 1, 2026. Physiotherapy tariff structure, item 7301, valid from 1/1/2026.
Our own calculations based on the sources cited. Rehab: cost weight 0.864 × base price CHF 701 = about CHF 606 per day. Physiotherapy: 48 tariff points × up to CHF 1.11 = about CHF 53 per session. This article is for general information and does not replace medical or insurance-law advice.
