A groundbreaking new bionic knee allows people with above-the-knee amputations to walk faster and more easily, climb stairs, and avoid obstacles with greater control. The prosthesis is directly integrated with the person’s muscle and bone tissue, providing stability and control.
Researchers at MIT have developed a revolutionary osseointegrated mechanoneural prosthesis (OMP), which extends into the residual leg itself, integrating the muscle and bone of the limb into the prosthetic. This technology enables a more natural movement, allowing users to feel like their artificial leg is a part of their own body.
The OMP system consists of a titanium rod inserted into the remaining femur bone at the amputation site, which provides better mechanical control and load bearing than traditional artificial legs. The implant also contains wires and electrodes that collect information from muscles in the residual leg, which are used to calculate the torque necessary to move the prosthetic as intended by the user.
Clinical trials have shown that users with the OMP system performed significantly better than those with traditional amputations, excelling in tasks such as walking, bending, climbing stairs, and stepping over obstacles. With larger clinical trials on the horizon, this breakthrough technology may one day receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, offering new hope for amputees worldwide.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-07-11/bionic-knee-allows-better-movement-for-amputees