MASSIVE GANGRENE OF THE THIGH FOLLOWING TRADITIONAL TREATMENT
OF A SIMPLE OBLIQUE FEMORAL FRACTURE
Palle JN1*, Mewoabi DM1, Fokam P2, Mokake NDM2, Udoamaka GN1, Ngounou E3
ABSTRACT
Background: this is the case of a 5 year old girl who sustained a simple fracture of the left femur which
could have been successfully managed conservatively but management by a traditional bone setter led to
gangrene. Bone setters’ gangrene is a common phenomenon in our setting. It results in severe
complications such as amputation or even death when mismanaged. The challenge in this case is to
decide to amputate the limb or save it and ensure future functionality.
Objective: this case highlights the dangers of traditional bone setter’s gangrene and how we managed it.
Methods: This is a case description of the management of bone setter’s gangrene in a 5 year old at Saint
Luke Medical center.
Results: we succeeded in saving the limb through extensive and successive surgical debridement, with
the use of appropriate antibiotics and analgesia. However, corrective surgery is required to ensure total
functionality of the limb.
Conclusion: Conservative management of a limb following extensive gangrene from traditional bone
settingis an option in young patients despite, the long course of hospitalization and cost.
Keywords: Fracture, Traditional Bone Setter, Limb Gangrene, Debridement.
