INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — According to the Amputee Coalition, more than two million people in the United States are living with limb loss. That number is expected to double by 2050. Losing a leg doesn't just change how someone walks. It can change how their entire body moves. For many amputees, years of compensating with other muscles can lead to chronic hips, back, and joint pain. Now, new technology could change lives.

For Ken Cleary, every step takes practice. Three years ago, a rare soft tissue cancer called angiosarcoma forced doctors to amputate above his knee.

"I made the conscious decision that I was gonna have my leg amputated because I needed to because it was going to save my life,” Cleary said.

Learning to walk again took months of physical therapy.

"You have to think about every step," Cleary said.

Most people think once an amputee is walking again the problem is solved. However, researchers say that's only the beginning.

"Actually, there are many additional things that we are probably not aware of,” Helen Huang, PhD, Biomedical Engineer at NC State University said.

One of the biggest? The body is constantly compensating, forcing amputees to overuse their hips, back and other joints. That's why Professor Huang's team at NC State is developing robotic prosthetics that use motors, sensors and computer controls.

"They restore a lot of adaptability,” Professor Huang said.

The goal is to reduce long-term damage to the rest of the body.

"When you have the power of the device, right … not only allows you to move better, and then you use way less compensation from other joints,” Professor Huang said.

For Cleary, the technology represents a chance to help other amputees and give them hope for a pain-free future.

"There’s only two things that are gonna stop you. It's right here and right here … as long as you’ve got your head and your heart in it, you’re gonna be fine,” Cleary said.

Scientists say the next step is making these robotic prosthetics lighter, more affordable and available to more patients.