Traditional Bone Setters’ Gangrene: An Avoidable Catastrophe, 8 Years Retrospective Review in a Private Orthopedic and Trauma Center in South‑East Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60787/njgp.v14i1.126Keywords:
tight splints, gangrene, compartment syndrome, bone setters, AmputationAbstract
Background: Traditional bone setters apply tight splints on the limbs of patients in their practice settings. Most of the times, these tight splints will result in compartment syndrome and when they are not recognized on time, they will deteriorate into gangrene.
Design: This is a retrospective study covering a period between October 2007 and September 2015 in a private orthopaedic and trauma centre in the southeast of Nigeria.
Results: A total of ten patients out of sixty seven patients had amputations on account of traditional bone setters’ gangrene constituting 14.9%. All of the patients with bone setters’ gangrene had two stage amputations. One of the patients refused amputation and he
was referred to another centre. There was zero mortality.
Conclusion: Traditional bone setters’ gangrene is an avoidable orthopaedic disaster that is common in our environment. Genuine efforts should be made by all the stakeholders to reduce and possibly to eliminate this catastrophe.
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