This study was undertaken to determine the rehabilitation potential of patients undergoing amputation for vascular disease. A total of 101 patients were studied with a mean age of 69 +/- 14 years, 26 of whom were over age 80. Operative indications were gangrene or ulceration in 80% with rest pain in 20%. Eighteen patients were bilateral amputees. Fifty per cent of the patient population had previous vascular operations. The operative mortality was 13% and was not affected by the age of the patients or the presence of diabetes. Most operative deaths were due to cardiac or septic respiratory complications. Twenty-four of 88 surviving patients were not considered candidates for rehabilitation and the major determining factor was the occurrence of a remote or perioperative stroke. None of these 24 patients was discharged from institutional care. Sixty-four patients were considered rehabilitation candidates with equal distribution in all age groups. Ninety-five per cent of these patients were discharged home with 80% of those patients over 80 being discharged. Eighty-seven per cent of the elderly rehabilitation candidates were fitted with prostheses which compares favourably to other age groups. Seventy-three per cent of the elderly reached their rehabilitation goals (most frequently ambulation with the aid of a walker) which is only slightly less than the younger amputation group. From this study we conclude that amputations which are done for ease of nursing care and patient comfort in debilitated patients have a high mortality rate and rehabilitation goals are unlikely to be met. We have demonstrated high success rates with rehabilitation including patients over age 80. The majority of these patients may be discharged home after a period of aggressive rehabilitation.