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Abstract
Preliminary Report on the Potential of Indigenous Healers Practicing in Orthopedics
Tanida Khunboonjan*, Chantana Krapoorit*, Sirilada Pimpa*, Suthon Pornbunditpatthama**
*Bureau of Thai Indigenous Medicine, Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative
Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000 THAILAND, ** Expert/Project Consultant
*Corresponding author : Tanida1739@hotmail.com
Purpose: To gain an in-depth understanding of the background, experiences and clinical
outcomes of treatment of bone fracture by indigenous healers.
Experimental design: Nine indigenous healers or bone setters were selected for an interview
about their experiences and medical instruments used in bone fracture treatment of 216 patients
with bone fracture enrolled and treated at the healers’ clinics. After bone fracture recovery, all
patients were then evaluated for their clinical outcomes by orthopedic experts.
Results: All bone setters were males aged 50-84 years and had had experiences in bone
fracture treatment for 20 to 30 years; and most of their chief occupations were farming. Half of
indigenous healers had gained the knowledge passed on from their ancestors, while the others
had learned from other experienced indigenous healers. Approximately 75% of patients had a
bone fracture in the arms while the rest had at in the legs. Of all 216 patients, 53 (24.5%) fully
recovered with normal bone alignment and function, 80 (37%) had normal bone function, but
misalignment, only 4 (1.9%) had normal bone healing, but malfunction, and 79 (36.3%) had
bone deformation and malfunction.
Conclusion: Although clinical outcomes of indigenous treatment of bone fracture are not as
effective as those treated with modern medicine, it would still be alternative care for the people
living in remote areas. Also, we have observed that most people in such areas are satisfied with
the indigenous treatment and highly respect indigenous healers. Thus, providing some modern
medical information such as diagnosis, x-ray interpretation, and proper treatment to indigenous
healers would bring their quality of care close to the established standards.
Key words: bone setters, orthopedics, clinical evaluation