According to foreign report on 9^th, Austrian scientists have developed the first sensible prosthesis. It has the same feeling of a true leg and can eliminate the phantom pain of the patient.  

The scientific research is from Hubert Egger, a professor of Linz University in northern Austria. There are two steps when install the prosthetic.

The doctor first put foot nerves ending of stump with healthy tissue of A.K. together. And place them close to the skin surface. Then, researchers installed six sensors to lightweight prosthesis feet and linked them with the simulator of stump backbone. 

Ex-teacher Lange who was installed this prosthesis said: “I can feel my feet again. I won’t slip down on the ice. When I walk on gravel, cement road, grass or sand, I can feel them. I even can feel small stone on the road.

54-year-old Lange was amputated after stroke. He has used the new prosthesis for six months. During this period, he ran, rode a bike and even gone climbing. No one has noticed that he was wearing the prosthesis.

Egger said: “The sensor will send messages of Lange’s every step or pressing to the brain.”

“In healthy feet, skin receptors are responsible for this task. But there are no skin receptors in amputees. The nerves which are responsible for transmitting messages still exist, but have not been activated. The sensor tells the brain the existence of an artificial leg in order to feel the ground when the user walks.”

The new prosthetic can not only keep balance and security of patient, but also can eliminate phantom pain.

Lange says: “I can’t walk with traditional prosthesis. I sleep less than 2 hours and take painkiller every day.” From last October, his pain has gone after installing the new prosthesis.