Walking Is More Complicated Than You Think with Dr. Steven Gard

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What if everything we think we know about human walking is oversimplified?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Steven Gard a biomedical engineer and leading gait researcher. We unpack the real biomechanics behind prosthetic design. From artificial heart labs to O&P innovation, Dr. Gard shares surprising insights on:

• Why shock absorption and “energy return” don’t always behave the way prosthetic marketing suggests
• How soft tissue acts as a natural spring, changing everything about how force is transmitted through a limb
• The ongoing debate between ischial containment, subischial, and elevated vacuum sockets — and why no design is one-size-fits-all
• Where microprocessor knees and 3D printing fit into the future of mobility
• The missing link between engineering theory and clinical practice

Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or just prosthetics-curious — this episode reframes gait in a way you’ve never heard before.

Special thanks to Advanced 3D for sponsoring this episode.

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