Complications from fractures of limbs treated by traditional medicine in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to report fractures complications observed after traditional treatment in Bukavu. Patients and Method: This is a cross-sectional, multicentered and prospective study of a series of 73 cases of fracture complications after traditional treatment collected from 5 hospitals: University clinics of Bukavu; Skyborne Hospital Center, CIRIRI Hospital, Medicure Hospital and Panzi Hospital, from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. Data were collected on a survey form filled by patients and analyzed using Epi Info software 7.2 version. Results: The patients average age was 33.21 ± 18.08 years (range: 4 -74 years) with a sex ratio of 1.7. The group of 21-30 years old was the most affected with 21 patients (28.77%). The traffic accident was the main etiology 42 (57.53%) followed by the fall from a high place with 14 patients (19.18%). Closed fractures represented 44 cases (60.27%). The femur was more affected 18 (24, 66%). The use of traditional medicine was justified by: more effective than modern treatment 26 (35.62%), less expensive 23 (31.51%), socio-cultural beliefs 9 (12.33%) and other reasons 4 (5.48%). 39 patients (53.42%) were coming from urban areas. The complications observed were: 21 skin necrosis (28.77%), 19 vicious calluses (26.03%), 9 non-union (12.33 %), 8 infections (10.96%), 6 limb shortening (8, 22%), 5 gangrene / ischemia (6.85%), 3 joint stiffness (4.11%) and 2 delayed consolidation (2.74%). The modern treatment of these complications was based on osteosynthesis associated with an osteotomy or corticoperiosteal decortication-bone graft 28 (38.36%), skin graft 16 (21.92%) and 23 patients (31.50%) refused modern treatment despite the complication. Conclusion: The fractures traditional treatment based mainly on trial and error, practiced with inadequate means and measures without respecting the fractures treatment principles is a real source of complications that can lead to disabling disabilities.