Krukenberg's kineplasty and rehabilitation in a blind, bilateral full-hand amputee

In blind persons, perception from the remaining sensory mechanisms is of utmost importance in maintaining contact with their surrounds. Absence of visual input in bilateral hand amputees would render the use of prosthetic devices unsuccessful. Krukenberg's kineplasty, which transforms the forearm stump into a forceps and provides retention of tactile, pain, temperature, and proprioceptive inputs, can increase the patient's functional abilities substantially. In the case reported, a 12-year-old boy who became blind and a bilateral hand amputee as a result of an explosion had significantly improved functional ability, independence, and life-style after this procedure. Active physical and occupational therapy and muscle re-education, begun two to three weeks after the Krukenberg procedure, were very important in aiding the patient to achieve independent function.