Mismanagement by native bone setters and its complications - An observational and retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Native bone setters are one of the largest group practicing traditional medicine in many developing countries. 1 Even in a country like ours with abundant of medical institutes and with the best advance medical care, about 60% of traumas are still treated by native bone setters. 1 The native bone setters are unqualified and inherited the method from their ancestor through generations. The aim of the study is to evaluate why patients prefers native bone setters treatment. Objective: This is an observational study to evaluate why patients prefers native bone setter's treatment and to identify common complications associated with it. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 362 patients conducted on their medical datas who had presented in the orthopaedic department in tertiary medical care hospital. Results: A study group of 362 patients, 221 males and 141 females with a mean age of 38.6 years. 246 patients presented with upper limb fracture/dislocation and 116 patients presented with lower limb fracture/dislocation. Most of the patients were literate, most were guided by relatives and friends for treatment to the native bone setters. easy accessibility, fear of hospital admission and terrified of surgical method were the reasons preferential for native bone setters despite associated with high chances of malunion, nonunion, delayed union, pressure sore, chronic osteomyelitis, neglected dislocation, compartment syndrome, Volkmann's ischemic contracture and gangrene. Conclusion: In an era of advanced orthopaedic care, people prefer native bone setters due to their innocence, influential guidance and mostly reachable. Even educational status doesn't have much prevalence and still most of the population continue to prefer native bone setters despite of high chances of serious complications.