Management of complications of age-long tradition presented at Ado-Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Context: In the developing countries, traditional bonesetters (TBS) continue to ply their trade, and they treat a large proportion of patients with fractures and dislocations. They are known in the hospital practice because of complications arising from their practice that present in the hospital. Aims: To look at the pattern of complications of TBS limb injuries management that presented at our center; factors influencing the decision to patronize TBS and treatment outcome of the complications. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive study designed to look at the TBSs complications that presented at our hospital between May 2011 and April 2014. Results: Forty-five patients were managed after TBS intervention. Road traffic crash accounted for 64.4% of their injury. Relations (47.8%) and friends (34.8%) influenced largely, decision to patronize TBS. Thirty-three (61.1%) went to TBS believing they have better outcome. Fracture nonunion accounted for the highest complication (53.3%). Most of the patients had operative intervention. Twenty-eight (68.3%) regained full limb functions, whereas 13 (31.7%) had impaired functions. Conclusions: Large percentage of the patients believed TBS have better outcome; and their complications were treated largely by surgery to regain limb functions.