Waqar Alam, Faaiz Ali Shah, Ashfaq Ahmed, Saeed Ahmad, Abdullah Shah.
Treatment by traditional bonesetters; frequency of complications.
Professional Med J Jan ;23(06):699-704.

Objectives: To analyze the reasons for treatment by Traditional Bone Setters (TBS) and the frequency of complications in patients treated by traditional bone setters in our set up. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Place and Duration of Study: District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ) Temargarah & Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from Dec 2014 to Nov 2015. Material and Methods: Patients of either gender or all ages received in outpatient department or accident and emergency of DHQ Temargarah, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore with history of trauma followed by treatment by local bonesetters were included in our study. After proper history, examinations and investigations, appropriate treatment were given and complications were noted. Results: We received a total of 267 patients who were treated by Traditional bone setters.186 were males and 81 were females. Age ranges from 1.5 years to 87 years. In majority Advice or pressure from family/friends taking the lead. 77(28.84%) of patients suffer because of family or friends. 66(24.72%) of patients affected because of socio cultural beliefs, 46(17.23%) because of low cost, 35(13.11%) because of ignorance, 24(8.98%) because of fear of operation, 19(7.12%) because of fear of amputation took their treatment from bone setters. The most frequent complication we received was malunion were found in 67(25.10%) and non-union in 55(20.60%), Conclusion: Pressure from friends and family was the main reason for consulting Traditional Bone Setters for treatment in our set up and complications caused by their treatment were frequent and ranged from immediate compartment syndrome and gangrene of the limb to late onset mal union, non-union and avascular non-union.

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