Good gait with a prosthesis: how technology and training work together

Name: REHACARE 2022
Start: 2022-09-14T10:00
End: 2022-09-17T17:00
Location: Messe Düsseldorf

How much technology goes into a good gait? Anyone living with a prosthesis knows: a sense of safety while walking only develops when body and technology truly work in harmony. At REHACARE 2025, certified master orthotist Carina Ameling and gait training specialist Kim Olberts demonstrated how small adjustments and targeted exercises can make a big difference.

In brief: prosthetic alignment, gait, and training in focus

Three key insights from the walking pad demonstration at REHACARE 2025:

Even a single misadjusted screw can visibly affect gait.
Technology alone isn’t enough – posture, muscle engagement, and movement training also matter.
Those who combine regular adjustments with ongoing training can prevent strain and improve stability.

When technology alone isn’t enough: prosthetic adjustment in practice

Certified master orthotist Carina Ameling carefully adjusts Kim Cremer’s leg prosthesis.

The subtle interaction between technology and the body becomes clear with every prosthetic adjustment – even minor corrections can noticeably improve gait. © beta-web GmbH

Just one screw – that was all Carina Ameling adjusted on Kim Cremer’s prosthesis at the Sports Center during REHACARE 2025. Yet the effect was striking: the knee joint wobbled outward, the left arm stayed rigid, and Kim had to concentrate hard to keep his balance while walking.

Once she corrected the setting, everything changed: his arms swung naturally at his sides, the prosthetic shaft stood straight, and his gait appeared smooth and stable. Even to non-experts, the difference was obvious – a true aha moment showing how precisely technology must be aligned with the body.

APT Prothesen highlights the importance of individualized alignment checks – similar to a dental visit, but focused on prosthetic alignment. Their approach aims to ensure the best possible interaction between technology, comfort, and safety.

Training for a stable gait

In the second part of the demonstration, gait training specialist Kim Olberts, who runs Gehtraining Fortschritt, a specialized practice in Germany, took over. She emphasized that walking well is no coincidence – and certainly not just a matter of technology.

Gait training specialist Kim Olberts explains an exercise to the audience, using a TheraBand wrapped around prosthesis user Kim Cremer’s hips as he walks on the walking pad.

Targeted training and muscle work are essential for a stable gait and an important complement to prosthetic technology. © Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann

Her tips are simple but effective:

Look at the whole person.
Don’t focus solely on the prosthesis or the leg, but on the entire musculoskeletal system. How is the hip flexor working? How does the upper body move along? Even small postural deviations – such as a stiff arm – can visibly affect gait.
Pay attention to posture.
Those who "drag" their prosthesis often show insecurity or fear of putting weight on it. Practicing at a parallel bar helps rebuild confidence and balance step by step – first in a static position, then in motion. The gluteal muscles, as Olberts pointed out, are "the engine of walking".
Analyze the stance phase.
Even when standing, it becomes clear whether the prosthesis is properly adjusted. A misalignment as small as a few millimeters can increase energy expenditure by up to 70 percent, every single day.

Her conclusion: technology and body are partners. Only when both work in harmony does a balanced and confident gait emerge.

Prosthetic adjustment and gait training: the key to a confident gait

The demonstration at the Sports Center clearly showed that fine-tuning and training go hand in hand. A well-aligned prosthesis, targeted movement training, and body awareness make all the difference – between insecurity and stability, between effort and ease.

Nadine Lormis smiles in to the camera; Copyright: Victoria Emanuel

Author: Nadine Lormis | REHACARE eMag

Nadine Lormis has been writing about (digital) developments in the assistive technology sector, self-determined living and inclusion for over 15 years. As editorial director of the REHACARE eMag, she is closely networked with the community of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses – both professionally and personally.

published on: October 28, 2025