Vivir con una amputación traumática tras un siniestro vial: autonomía y participación social

This essay argues that adjustment after traumatic amputation should be assessed through the ability to make decisionsand engage in meaningful activities. Physical capacity is one dimension of recovery, while actual participation alsodepends on available support and opportunities. The essay examines coping after traumatic amputation, focusing onemotional distress, body image, and the distinction between symptoms and psychiatric diagnoses. It then considers howfamily assistance, peer support, accessibility, and working conditions may enable or constrain autonomy. It proposesevaluating recovery through goals chosen with the individual and distinguishing three domains: capacity to perform atask, control over decisions, and actual participation. Evidence on traumatic amputation supports the argument, withstudies of other causes used for comparison. For example, a person may regain the ability to walk yet remain unableto return to work because accessible transport is unavailable. Distinguishing these domains helps identify whether thebarrier calls for clinical care, psychosocial support, or changes in the environment. Aggregate data from Moca illustratewhat quality-of-life categories can capture. The framework requires local evaluation.