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

NCT ID NCT03913273

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, United States