Abstract
BackgroundThe devastating impact of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) on human lives, the economy, and health services cannot be overemphasised. This has ignited discussion at international fora, as countries have been exhorted to prioritise management of MSI in order to maintain a healthy society. In the Ghanaian context, the knowledge base management of MSI is very low, which has provided the impetus to explore the management of MSI and the rehabilitation systems at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.MethodsThe study was a retrospective cross-sectional study, using the consecutive sampling method to recruit patients who were discharged after admission at the accident and emergency unit, as well as patients undergoing orthopaedic review, at the St. Joseph’s Orthopaedic Hospital in Koforidua over a six-month period.ResultsA total of 269 musculoskeletal injury patients were recruited for the study. Half of the participants (51%) had had surgery in addition to pain medication. The overall mean recovery days were 26.81 ± 33.94 days, and the average disability days spent in the hospital were estimated at 16.54 ± 27.97 days. Individuals reported financial constraints as a major challenge to their full participation in rehabilitation.ConclusionThe findings of this study have implications for policymaking in Ghana. Particularly, the need to improve health facilities to enable MSI patients to seek treatment is highlighted. Also, the need to train health professionals who will be able to administer appropriate medication for MSI patients is discussed extensively.
Highlights
The devastating impact of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) on human lives, the economy, and health services cannot be overemphasised
Treatment of MSI is a challenge for healthcare professionals, which could be mitigated by availability of data to guide practice
This calls for more attention to be directed towards measures that are aimed at identifying the patterns of management and making them available to health professionals
Summary
The devastating impact of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) on human lives, the economy, and health services cannot be overemphasised. Anecdotal evidence shows that in developing countries health systems and individuals with MSI are facing challenges, and this has had an adverse impact on disease management and rehabilitation. These challenges include the high cost of treatment, the lack of health facilities, the long distances to reach facilities, poverty, the inadequacy of surgeons, and inability to transport patients to hospitals, as a result of poor transportation systems [15, 16]. It is imperative that MSI patients are promptly taken care of, to prevent prolonged disability and worsening conditions
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