Functional independence has always been one of the most important goals in hand therapy. Following below-elbow amputation, this goal is often achieved by means of a prosthetic device. Unfortunately, there are rare instances in which an individual possesses an additional debilitating injury, such as blindness, that may preclude the use of a prosthetic device. Few hand therapists or surgeons actually have the opportunity to treat this type of patient. The purpose of this case study is to report the surgical methods, assessment techniques, and therapy guidelines for a 13-year-old male patient who suffered a below-elbow amputation of the left upper extremity and loss of vision after stepping on a land mine in his native country, Nicaragua.
