A Novel Approach to Upper Extremity Amputation

This study is exploring a new way to perform upper arm or forearm amputations. The goal is to improve how people control advanced prosthetic limbs and to help them regain a sense of feeling and position (proprioception) in the amputated limb. Researchers will compare a modified amputation procedure, which involves carefully arranging muscle pairs, to the standard amputation procedure. They will measure how well participants can control their prosthetic, how much movement they have, and how much feeling they recover over 0-36 months. This study is for individuals aged 18-65 who are candidates for an upper extremity amputation due to injury, birth defects, or severe arthritis.

Study design: This interventional study plans to enroll 20 participants. Ten participants will receive the modified amputation procedure, and ten will receive the standard amputation procedure.
What's involved: Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Participants will be followed for up to 36 months after their procedure to assess motor control and proprioception recovery.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

A Novel Approach to Upper Extremity Amputation to Augment Volitional Control and Restore Proprioception

Recruiting

NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment

Brigham and Women's Hospital

~20 participants

Updated 2026-07-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Modified amputation procedureStandard amputation procedure

At a glance

Recruiting sites

4 of 4 listed sites are recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Motor Unit Innervation

Measured over 0-36 months

+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Amputation

NCT03882073

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 4 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

Brigham & Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed
Recruiting
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed
Recruiting
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab
Cambridge, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed
Recruiting
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, Marylandstudy coordinator listed
Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

Matthew J Carty, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Brigham and Women's Hospital

Who to contact

Matthew J Carty, MD

[email protected]

6179834555

Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Males or females between the ages of 18 and 65

Candidates for elective unilateral or bilateral upper extremity amputation at either the above elbow or below elbow level due to traumatic injury, congenital limb deformities or progressive arthritis

Must demonstrate sufficiently sound health to undergo the operative procedure, including adequate cardiopulmonary stability to undergo general anesthesia (specifically, American Society of Anesthesiology Class I or II)

Must have intact inherent wound healing capacity

Must demonstrate adequate communication skills to convey the status of their sensorimotor recovery throughout the postoperative phase,

Must exhibit proper level of motivation to comply with postoperative follow up requirements

Must be willing to also consent to study activities taking place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (approved under same IRB protocol via ceded IRB review) as some outcome measures will be assessed at that site

Exclusion

Patients beyond the stated age restrictions

Those with severe illness rendering them unable to undergo the operative procedure safely (e.g., unresolved sepsis or cardiopulmonary instability manifest as documented coronary artery disease and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Patients with active infections, particularly deep infections in the arm to be amputated

Patients who are taking immunosuppressive agents

Patients with impairment in inherent wound healing pathways, such as those with primary connective tissue disorders or those on chronic steroid therapy

Patients with extensive peripheral neuropathies (diabetic or otherwise) that would potentially inhibit appropriate reinnervation of the surgical constructs

Active smokers; those patients willing to undergo tobacco cessation will need to be completely abstinent from tobacco use for at least 6 weeks preoperatively

Patients who are unable to provide informed consent and those with a demonstrated history of poor compliance

Pregnant women will not be considered due to the potential risks of general anesthesia

What this trial measures

Motor Unit Innervation0-36 months
Intact volitional activation of motor constructs, as assessed by electromyographic evidence of activation (muscle potentials measured in mV)
Motor Unit Excursion0-36 months
Intact volitional activation of motor constructs with measurable excursion, as assessed by ultrasound (excursion measured in mm)
Proprioception Recovery0-36 months
Manifestation of functional proprioception with motor unit activation, as evidenced by spatial limb position testing using a modified upper limb prosthesis (accurate limb positioning relative to target measured in mm)

Trialytics