Rehabilitation of blind patients with lower extremity amputations.

Twelve consecutive blind amputee patients, including 7 unilateral and 5 bilateral amputees with a median age of 64 years, were studied. All were fitted with prostheses, and gait training was accomplished on an outpatient basis. Seventy-five percent of patients were successfully ambulating 2 years or longer following the amputation; 5 regained their preoperative levels of activity; 3 lost 1 grade; 4 lost 2 or more grades. All patients claimed that the quality of life had improved and self-respect was restored with the fitting of a prosthesis.