Press Conference on June 27th 2001 at the Rehabilitation Centre Kreuzberg

Report on the preliminary findings of the scientific collaboration between the Fresenius Physiotherapy College in Idstein – directed by Prof. Dr. Hanno Felder – and the Kreuzberg Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre, directed by M & M Werding.

On June 27th 2001 a press conference was held at our Kreuzberg Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre, attended by two television stations and members of the press. The purpose of the press conference was to report on the preliminary findings of our scientific research.

Our first contact with Prof. Dr. Felder was in 1995, when he joined the teaching staff at our centre of further training for rehabilitation therapists, which complies with the stipulations made by the funding agencies.

From left to right: Philipp Bartel, Maximilian Werding, Prof. Dr. Hanno Felder and S. Kowalenko

From this time an active scientific exchange, inspired by scientific discussions, took place between Prof. Dr. Felder and our Centre. In addition to our special training courses for rehabilitation therapists, a symposium for doctors was just one of the several joint activities undertaken at our centre by Prof. Dr. Felder and ourselves.

Prof. Dr. Felder, M. Werding and S. Kowalenko at the presentation of the Digital Gait and Stance Analysis Device which they developed themselves. In the background from right to left: Permanent Secretary Ms D. Schlegel-Friedrich, Reha-Centre physician, Dr. Reiter, Lord Mayor Dr. A. Lauer, and Mr Kischewski of the AOK des Saarlandes

Advances in medicine require new qualifications and therapy methods in order to offer the patient the optimal treatment with regard to quality and price. Prof. Dr. Felder has supported, and continues to support us in this undertaking. Our scientific collaboration allows us to solve problems arising from therapeutic practice, for the benefit of therapeutic practice.

Phillip Bartel, Handballtorwart des Bundesligisten TV Altenkessel und der Juniorennationalmannschaft.

The "Werding Suspended Walking Apparatus" is a belt system, called a weight-bearing vest, used on the treadmill of a locomotion system. In contrast to other belt systems to date, which are fastened at the crotch, this device can not only be used for ankle and knee joint problems, and gait training for paraplegic patients, but also directly after operations for patients with hip prostheses that are not yet cemented, as well as for the relief of spinal column problems, such as protrusions, slipped or herniated discs, spondylolysthesis etc., This is because it provides the advantage of allowing physiological locomotion without weight load.


Prof. Dr. H. Felder, Mr Kutrieb, MDV, Permanent Secretary Ms D. Schlegel-Friedrich, P. Bartel, Mr Kischewski of the AOK des Saarlandes [Saarland general health insurance scheme] and M. Werding.

Just one of the innovative examples of the effective results brought about by this collaboration is the invention of devices and procedures that have been applied at the Kreuzberg Rehabilitation Centre, such as the "Werding Suspended Walking Apparatus", or the "Werding digital system for analysing gait and the foot arch position". Both devices are absolutely unique worldwide and are pending patents.

System zur Analyse des Ganges und der Fußgewölbestellung nach Werding

Beide Geräte sind einmalig auf der Welt und wurden auch patentrechtlich angemeldet.

Non-cemented hip prostheses are normally treated post-operatively using physiotherapy in a reclining position, with the patient on his or her back or side, until the wound has healed enough for the patient to enter the movement pool. There, however, the patient has to struggle against high hydrostatic buoyancy and drag. This does not allow the physiological movement needed to recover the hip musculature.

With the "Werding Suspended Walking Apparatus", the patient can move physiologically under the most precise, differentiated weight relief adjustments as indicated by the surgeon immediately after operation. This not only prevents the atrophy of the hip musculature, but also allows the patient to gradually exercise under an appropriate therapy plan. The advantages are clear: a Trendelenburg or Duchenne waddling gait is prevented.

Sergey Kowalenko, world-class freestyle wrestler from the federal league team KSV Köllerbach

All post-operative knee, ankle joint and foot injuries can, of course, be treated using the "Werding Suspended Walking Apparatus". The spinal column area could not be treated at all with the conventional belts at the crotch area, quite unlike the "Werding Suspended Walking Apparatus". The most precise load relief values can be adjusted according to the doctor's instructions, and patients with problems such as spondylolysthesis, protruding or slipped disc, can undergo therapy.

The Werding Apparatus' vest also has the advantage of providing support to the patient's spinal column, such that it is precisely adjusted to the structure of the spinal column during the process of physiological walking.

Research and collaboration provided the basis for the development of both devices, which were naturally immediately employed in general therapy at our establishment. They harmonise with the foremost motto of our Rehabilitation Centre: a high level of quality assurance to reach the rehabilitation goal more effectively, safely and quickly.

We hope to have aroused your interest and we would be pleased to present these two devices to you at our Centre.