It is ok to see a medical doctor after you have been to a traditional bone setter if you feel like you need more care than what you got.
There is fear from most people visiting the doctor and specifically, in this case, those visiting the orthopedic surgeon after they have gone to the bone setters for their initial treatment.
Why the fear?
There are a couple of reasons for this
1. There is shame in the acknowledgment of having made a mistake and perhaps making the situation worse than it previously was.
2. There is shame in misused and lost funds.
A Visit to the hospital will only happen after the initial attempt at the bonesetter has failed. The money spent can’t be regained.
Do you need to see a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon?
Complications with bonesetter treatment
- Nonunion
Nonunion is when bones fail to heal whether they have had treatment or not. The bones may fail to heal because they do not get enough mechanical stability. This will lead to continued pain and deformity at the place with the fracture.
- Compartment syndrome.
This is an early complication. The process of aggressively massaging the fracture as does happen with traditional bonesetters can lead to increased swelling which can interfere with blood flow to the affected hand or leg and results in compartment syndrome. When compartment syndrome isn’t treated, it leads to the death of a hand or leg.
- Malunion
This means that the bones unite badly so the bone (leg or arm) continues to look deformed.
- Infection
This could be a result of poorly managed open fractures by traditional bone setters or it could result from certain practices like making a small cut on the skin to introduce local herbs all of which can be a route for infection.
What will happen when I go to the hospital?
The kind of treatment you will get at the hospital will depend on the kind of deformity and problem you present with.
The treatment can be surgical or non-surgical.
In conclusion, even though many people are afraid to visit the hospital after getting initial care from the traditional bone setter, orthopedic surgeons are always happy to treat any deformities and help you get back to a state of normal function.
Have you been to a traditional bone setter before for initial care and want to talk to or see an orthopedic surgeon for better care?
Reach out to us at judi@littlegrowingbones.com
