Faheem A Memon, Gulzar Saeed, Bilal Fazal Shaikh, Irshad Bhutto, Ayoob Laghari, Khaleeque A Siddique, Rehman Shaikh.
Compilations of fracture treatment by traditional bone setters at Hyderabad.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;21(2):58-64.

Objective: To evaluate and analyze the complications seen in patients previously treated by traditional bone setters in Hyderabad District. Study design: Prospective Descriptive study. Setting: This study was conducted at Department of Orthopedic and Traumatology (DOST), Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro / Hyderabad. Fifty eight patients treated by traditional bone setters reported at this hospital in mergency and outpatient department from July 2008 to June 2009. A predesigned proforma was used to collect study variables. Results: Out of 58 patients, 8 patients twelve patients (20.6%) had union of the fracture in acceptable position with near to normal range of movements at different joints where as 46 patients (79.3%) out of fifty eight were having complications. Out of 46 patients, 15 (25.86%) had mal union, 7 patients (12.06%) had non union, 4 patients (6.89%) developed gangrene, 6 patients reported compartmental syndrome (10.34%), 4 patients (6.89%) had cellulites, 3 (5.17%) had infective non union and 2 patients (3.44) had Volkmann’s ischemic contracture and rest of the patients had stiffness of elbow and shoulder. Conclusions: Traditional bone setters create very difficult problems for orthopedic surgeons. Many patients develop complications and loose their limbs due to in appropriate treatments. Awareness programs regarding inadequate treatment given by traditional bone setters are necessary and their patronization should be discouraged to avoid these types of complications.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com