Bionic breakthrough: new surgery lets amputees 'Feel' their prosthetic foot

NCT ID NCT03913273

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed trial tested a new surgical procedure called an agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) in 14 people with below-knee amputations. The surgery connects muscle pairs in the residual limb to allow better communication with a bionic prosthetic. The goal was to improve control and provide a sense of joint position and movement, making the prosthetic feel more like a natural limb.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) surgical procedure
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to bionic legs that feel more natural and are easier to control, improving mobility and quality of life for people with below-knee amputations.
What could go wrong: This was a small, early-stage trial with only 14 participants. The results may not apply to all amputees, and the procedure requires specialized surgery. Long-term benefits and risks are still unknown.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AMPUTATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, United States

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