Management of Complications from Traditional Treatment of Locomotor System Injuries at the National Hospital of Niamey: A Report of 220 Cases

Authors: Ide G* , Abdoulwahab M , Mansour H , Morelle Oracia and Ille S

DOI: 10.23880/jobd-16000289

Volume 9, Issue 2

Abstract

Introduction: Complications resulting from traditional treatment of limb injuries are frequently encountered in our practice.These are often severe injuries that require modern medical intervention. Therapeutic outcomes are favorable when managedearly.Objective: To report the outcomes of managing complications resulting from traditional treatment of limb injuries in ourdepartment.Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study conducted in the Department of Traumatology-Orthopedicsand Reconstructive Surgery at the National Hospital of Niamey, Niger, from January 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024 (20 months).Included were all patients diagnosed clinically and/or paraclinically with complications related to traditional treatment of limbinjuries and managed in our department. The parameters studied included epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic,and outcome data.Results: Over 20 months, 3,302 patients were admitted to our department, of which 220 had complications from traditionaltreatment of limb injuries, representing a frequency of 6.66%. Males were predominant, accounting for 69.09% (n=152),with a sex ratio of 2.23. The mean age was 18 years, ranging from 1 to 86 years. Road traffic accidents were the most commoncause, accounting for 42.73% (n=94). Recourse to traditional treatment was due to belief in the method in 100% of cases,sometimes associated with lack of financial means. The average duration of traditional treatment was 2.94 months, withextremes of 7 days to 132 months. Pain was the most frequent reason for consultation (75.45%, n=166). Bone injuries werethe most represented type of lesion, seen in 122 cases (55.45%). Traditional massage (49.09%) and traditional splints(43.64%) were the most commonly used traditional treatments. The most frequent procedure for managing complicationswas sequestrectomy or resection of exposed bone (37.72%, n=83). Healing was achieved in 97.27% (n=214). There were 2cases each of pseudarthrosis and osteitis, and 2 deaths were recorded. According to the Olerud and Molander functional score,outcomes were good in 80.45% (n=177), moderate in 17 cases (7.72%), and poor in 6 cases (2.72%).

Keywords: Traditional Treatment; Complications; Management; Surgery; Niamey; Niger

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