Traditional Bonesetters

International journal of scientific research, 2018

Background: Fracture of bone is a persistent problem encountered in orthopedic practice globally and its management depends on reduction and immobility at the fracture site. Traditional bone setters are accepting this procedure as a familiar custom to formulate their own methods and practices for the management of fractures. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study is to evaluate and manage the complications occurred during the treatment given by TBS. Methods: One hundred and twenty cases coming to OPD during the period of Aug.2014 to Nov.2016 with some kind of prior treatment received from TBS are included in the study. Each case was subjected to detailed clinical and radiological examinations to evaluate the outcomes of the interventions by TBSs. Results: Malunion is the predominant form of presentation with 54 cases (46%) followed by non union in 24 (20%) cases. 33 cases (28%) presented with impending ischemia at initial stages of treatment. 8 cases (6%) presented with chronic osteomylitis and infected nonunion. Eventually 13 cases ended with gangrene and amputation. Cost of surgery emerged as the major cause (42%) followed by fear of surgery (23%) to receive treatment from TBS. Conclusion: The results in our study vindicate the fact that TBS play a major role in providing health care to the fracture patients. Multiple factors contribute to the wide spread acceptance of TBS in society. Lack of knowledge about the basic anatomy and referral system by TBS is responsible for complications. So it is required to create public awareness and integrating TBS in the healthcare system through proper training and due legislation is the possible aim to be achieved.

The Nigerian Health Journal, 2011

Background: Traditional bone setting is common in developing nations. The principles of bone setting, although differing slightly among cultures are similar. The practice is not without its shortcomings as patients who have received prior traditional bonesetters (TBS) care usually present with complications to hospitals. This study seeks to document the complications seen as a result of TBS treatment of fractures and dislocations at a private ortho-trauma centre. Methods : A prospective study of consecutive patients with fractures and dislocations who had

2021

In most low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), traditional bonesetters (TBS) still play an integral role in trauma care [1]. The practice of traditional bonesetting dates a long way back and is common in many developing countries in Africa, South America and the Indian subcontinent [2], where traditional care of injuries and diseases has remained popular despite modern health care services and advancement in various spheres of life [2,3]. Bonesetting skills are usually passed down the family line without any documentation. TBS receive no formal training in modern orthopaedic care and their practice is kept a family secret as part of ancestral heritage [4]. Despite the presence and availability of modern orthopaedic services (MOS), TBS enjoy high patronage and wide acceptance across different social and educational strata and religions [5], for reasons documented by several authors [6-9]. In Nigeria, TBS provide about 70%-90% of primary fracture care in certain areas [10]; thus, this method of fracture

The World Health Organization had recommended the integration of traditional and modern medicine. However traditional medicine as well as traditional bone-setting had received poor recognition in Nigeria. This notwithstanding traditional bone-setters still enjoys patronage from the populace in Ibadan and the practitioners abound in almost every part of the country. This study focused on the causes of fracture and utilization of traditional bone setters in Ibadan under the explanation of the functionalism and modernization theories. The study adopted the quantitative and qualitative method, with the survey of eighty-eight (88) patients and In-depth interview administered to eight (8) traditional bone setters and (4) patients. Majority (69.5 percent) of the respondents fall within the age range of 18-47 years. Findings revealed that there were more (55.7%) male patients than female (44.

European Journal of Radiology, 2012

Objective: To find out frequency of different complications in patients that has been managed by traditional bonesetters (TBS). Methods: This study was conducted from 1 st October 2013 to 31 st March 2014. Total 60 patients who presented at orthopedics outpatient clinic after treatment of traditional bone Setters were recruited for the study. Information about the patients' biodata, mechanism of injury, which advised them to contact TBS and complications after being managed by TBS were obtained. All the data thus obtained was put into and analyzed on SPSS version 17. Results: The mean age of 60 patients were 25.57 years with minimum 5 and maximum age was 65 years. Sixteen patients were females and 44 were male. Two (3.3%) of patients first attended Hospital and 58(96.7%) patients attended TBS. There were 51.7% mal-union, 31.7% non-union, 6.7% contracture and 6.7% gangrene and 3.3% developed infections. Conclusion: Mal-union/non-union, contractures and infections are the most common complications that patients are likely to suffer as a result of fracture treatment by TBS.

2019

Background: The review aimed at systematically examining the evidence in articles that assess the clinical effects and impact of traditional bonesetters on contemporary fracture care in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Articles were identified by database searching ((PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, and Web of Science). Searching, selecting and reporting were conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) Statement. The key words that were used in search for literature were: “Bonesetter”, “fracture healer” and “traditional bone setting”. Publications included for review were original articles, set in an LMIC and directly talked about the role and/or impact of traditional bonesetters in providing fracture care. Papers that focused on Low and Middle Income (LMIC) settings were reviewed.Results: A total of 176 papers were screened for eligibility and 15 studies were finally ...

The Open Orthopaedics Journal, 2011

In developing nations such as Nigeria, where there is a shortage of surgeons formally trained in fracture care, many of the injured seek care from traditional bonesetters. We conducted a qualitative study of fracture care in two settings in Enugu, Nigeria: The National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu (NOHE) and a traditional bonesetter practice. Primary assessment measures at the NOHE included evaluations of the structure and process of fracture care according to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association's Level 1 Trauma Center Requirements. Further, we conducted interviews of NOHE patients and hospital staff. We also observed fracture care at a traditional bonesetter practice. We observed the traditional care process and interviewed both bonesetters and patrons of the bonesetter practice.

2016

Introduction- From the age old times there is the considerable role of traditional treatment in medical field which most of the time has no evidence and proper explanation. One wing of them are the traditional bone setters who have so much of popularity among the common population. Aims and objectives- In the following study we determine the awareness about the variety of orthopaedic conditions, the role of an orthopaedic surgeon in such conditions in common

Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health Studies, 2020

Background: Vacillation between conventional healthcare professionals and traditional bone setters (TBS) for musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders is still common despite shortcomings and complications associated with TBS services. Objectives: This study assessed knowledge and attitude about the practice of TBS and its use for MSK disorders among Nigerian rural dwellers. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a multistage sampling method based on the World Health Organization procedures for a community-based survey to recruit 398 (213 males and 185 females) respondents from two randomly selected rural communities. A validated questionnaire adapted from relevant previous studies was used as a tool in this study. A household was served as the Primary Sampling Unit (PSU) and 60 PSUs were randomly selected. Results: The lifetime and 12-month prevalence of MSK disorders were 27.6% and 25.6%, respectively. Based on 12-month prevalence, neck (16, 21.6%) and shoulder (12, 17.6%) were the most affected body parts. The lifetime (i.e. "ever use") and point ("current use") prevalence of treatment by TBS were 19.3% and 3.8%, respectively. Among those who had ever experienced MSK disorders, 13.3% had experienced only treatment by TBS services, whereas 6.0% had used both treatment by TBS and orthodox medicine. Common services received by TBS were massage (61.0%), splinting (14.3%), traction (11.7%), and scarification (10.4%). Cost-effectiveness (42.9%), distance/accessibility (35.1%), and cultural beliefs (15.9%) were the major reasons for TBS patronage. Using TBS services was not significantly associated with socio-demographic variables (P > 0.05). Also, 57.3% of the respondents acknowledged that TBS services were associated with complications, such as gangrene (19.7%), malunion/nonunion of fractures (36.0%), paralysis (19.3%), joint instability (7.5%), and chronic osteomyelitis (6.6%). Users of the TBS services believed that they were effective in maintaining a healthy life (40.7%), with fewer side effects (30.0%), more effective (11.7%), and healthier than orthodox medicine (23.1%). Conclusions: There was a positive attitude towards treatment by TBS for MSK disorders, despite the complications and shortcomings that arise from the practice. Cost-effectiveness, socio-cultural beliefs, and easy access have increased patronage of treatment by TBS regardless of the socio-demographic characteristics of the people.

Journal of Biology Agriculture and Healthcare, 2013

Introduction: Majority of the population in developing countries use traditional medicine due to the fact that the majority reside in rural areas where modern health service is relatively inaccessible and expensive. Methods: Prospective hospital based cross sectional survey was conducted in Wolaita Sodo to assess complications of fractures treatment by traditional bone setters admitted at Sodo Christian Teaching Hospital (SCGH), Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. All patients with fractures presented to SCGH during the period from March-August 2012 were included in the study. Results: Among patients exhibited complications during their first visit for fracture treatment at emergency unit in the hospital 70 (56.91%) had a history of having fracture treatment by TBS. Out of which 37 patients (52.87%) had stiffness of joint, 6 patients (8.57%) developed infection, 6 patients (8.57%) had mal union, 4 patients (5.71%) had lengthening discrepancy, 4 patients (5.71%) had nonunion, 4 patients (5.71%) had Volkman's ischemic contracture, 3 patients (4.29%) developed gangrene, 3 patient (4.29%) had swelling, 1 patient (1.43%) had nerve injury, 1 patient's (1.43%) case resulted in delayed union and 1(1.43%) resulted in instability. Multivariate analysis indicated the presence of significant association between treatment of fractures by TBS and falling accident with complications. Conclusion: Treatment of fractures by TBS and falling accident were found associated with complication. However, the majority believe in the importance of the role of TBS in treating fracture.