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The Practice of Traditional Bonesetting: Training Algorithm

  • Symposium: ABJS/C.T. Brighton Workshop on Trauma in the Developing World
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Abstract

Traditional bonesetters (TBS) have been in Nigeria for centuries. Up to 85% of patients with fractures present first to the traditional bonesetters before coming to the hospital and therefore this mode of care delivery cannot be overlooked in Nigeria. We attempted to document the current practice of TBS in Ibadan and their methods of fracture treatment with a view to training and improving the services offered by them. We carried out a literature search to review all previous studies on traditional bonesetters’ practice and visited a few of them to document their current practice. The only change in the management of fractures by the TBS over the past 28 years was the use of spiritual methods of healing to treat open comminuted fractures; a technique for which no scientific basis was readily discernible. There is a need to educate and train the TBS in effective management of both open and closed fractures. Such training should be provided by orthodox orthopedic surgeons with a view to minimizing mismanagement of fractures. To this end, we propose a training algorithm.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mr. Dayo Owolabi and Mrs. Bose Omololu for being the bridge between the TBS and the orthopaedic surgeon, without which our interaction with the TBS would not have been possible. We also thank all the traditional bonesetters who interacted with us and provided us with the information needed to comprehend their practice and make this first step to establishing a training program for the TBS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

    A. B. Omololu MD, S. O. Ogunlade FRCS & V. K. Gopaldasani MBBS

Authors
  1. A. B. Omololu MD
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  2. S. O. Ogunlade FRCS
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  3. V. K. Gopaldasani MBBS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. B. Omololu MD.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Omololu, A.B., Ogunlade, S.O. & Gopaldasani, V.K. The Practice of Traditional Bonesetting: Training Algorithm. Clin Orthop Relat Res 466, 2392–2398 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0371-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0371-8

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