Bionic knees help the amputee walk naturally again
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After the amputation of the leg above the knee is within reach, I can easily climb the stairs, kick the ball and climb the stairs. MIT researchers have developed a bionic knee that redefines the mobility of amputees above the knee. Unlike traditional socket-based prostheses, this system is directly secured to the bone and integrated with surrounding muscular tissue. The result is faster, smoother, and more natural movements.
The MIT team led by Professor Hugh Herr has created solutions that not only mimic movements, but also respond to intentions. This level of control allows the prosthesis to move in sync with the body, providing a seamless experience that challenges the very definition of artificial limbs.
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A man kicks a ball while wearing an e-opra bionic knee prosthesis. (and)
How amputee e-opra bionic knee works
This technique is called E-Opra (enhanced male theointegration prosthesis for amputee rehabilitation). This involves surgically implanting a titanium rod into the femur. This rod will form the basis for a new kind of interface between the body and the machine. But that doesn’t stop there.
Muscles are reconnected in functional pairs using a specialized surgical technique known as the agonist antagonist myocutaneous interface (AMI). These muscles “talk” each other, send signals to the robot controller, accurately calculate how the knees move, and reflect the actual leg mechanism.
Nature movements recovered in the bionic knee of the amputee
In the trial, two patients with this integrated system not only improved performance, but also felt better. They moved faster, climbed the stairs more easily, and confidently avoided obstacles. Most importantly, they felt that the prosthesis was a part of their body.
One of the participants, with only a few inches of thighs remaining, was able to walk, pivot and even kick the ball smoothly. This kind of intuitive and natural movement is a game changer for amputees above the knee.

Illustration of a new E-Opra bionic knee that can help people with over-knee amputations. (and)
Why amputee bionic knees are a big breakthrough
Traditional socket-based prostheses can be uncomfortable, unstable and prone to infection. They often feel foreigners, not just as part of it, but as a body-bound tool. The bionic knee bypasses the socket completely. By connecting directly to bones and muscles, it improves loading, reduces skin problems and, most importantly, restores the sense of control. And control is not only physical, but emotional and psychological. Patients using the E-OPRA system reported greater agency and body ownership than patients with traditional or partially integrated prosthetics.
MIT Bionic Knee for Amputees Driven by Living Experience
Professor Hugh Herr is not just leading research. He lives it. After losing both legs under his knee to a frostbite in his teens, he returned to climbing and dedicated his career to advancement in prosthetic technology. His personal journey drives MIT’s lab, which continues to push the boundaries of biomechatronics. And now, the journey may change the lives of above-knee amputees around the world.

A man kicks a ball while wearing an e-opra bionic knee prosthesis. (and)
When the amputee’s bionic knee becomes available
The results are groundbreaking, but the e-opra system is not on the market yet. Larger clinical trials and FDA approvals are still ahead. Herr estimates that within five years the technology could become more accessible to patients.
Important takeouts in your cart
We are witnessing the future Prosthetics It will expand. The bionic knee, developed by MIT, not only restores functionality, but also redefines it. The combination of advanced robotics with the human nervous system provides amputees with something valuable.
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