{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T14:13:38Z","timestamp":1788185618220,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Ubiquity Press, Ltd.","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788134400000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["89"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Introduction: Traditional bone setters (TBS) treat orthopedic injuries using natural remedies and traditional medicine. These practices can result in complications, including malunion, non\u2011union, or gangrenous extremities. Despite these complications, communities in low\u2011 and middle\u2011income countries trust and rely on TBS for musculoskeletal injuries and pathologies. Understanding patients\u2019 motives for patronizing TBS is necessary to work with TBS to reduce complications.\nObjectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the reasons patients patronize TBS, identify demographic trends associated with TBS usage, and evaluate how patient perspectives inform an understanding of TBS patronage.\nMethods: Four electronic databases, MEDLINE and Embase (via Ovid), Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), were searched prior to April 2025. Primary studies examining reasons and patient perspectives on visiting TBS were included. Studies not reporting patient perspectives regarding TBS use were excluded. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. A narrative synthesis was conducted, with pooled descriptive statistics where appropriate.\nResults: A total of 28 studies involving 8,147 participants were included. A total of 5 articles directly included patients\u2019 perspectives, while 24 articles reported themes among reasons for the patronage of TBS. The main reasons cited for patronizing TBS were the belief in TBS and affordability. Recommendations from family\/friends and negative perspectives on allopathic medicine were both frequently cited. No consistent association between participant demographics and TBS patronage was identified.\nConclusions\/Discussion: The reasons for patronizing TBS are multifaceted, extending beyond pure affordability and accessibility. The analysis showed that the general preference for TBS over allopathic practitioners and the belief in TBS practices are strongly rooted in the individuals and communities that TBS serve. Despite differing recommendations, collaboration with TBS to improve access to care and reduce complication rates was identified as a future direction.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.5334\/aogh.5295","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T13:09:22Z","timestamp":1788181762000},"page":"86","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Patient Perspectives on Patronage of Traditional Bone Setting: A Systematic Review"],"prefix":"10.5334","volume":"92","author":[{"given":"Sarah Elizabeth","family":"Flynn","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sumner","family":"Rajaratnam","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Colin","family":"Kruse","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Daniel K.","family":"Kisitu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bradley A.","family":"Petrisor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"3285","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]]},"reference":[{"key":"1","unstructured":"Hatipoglu S, Tatar K. The strengths and weaknesses of Turkish bone\u2011setters. World Health Forum. 1995;16(2):203EP\u2013206EP. PubMed PMID: 25158946."},{"key":"2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Idris SA, Mohammed OB, Basheer ES. Why do people prefer traditional bonesetters in Sudan?. Sudan J Med Sci. 2010;5(3):199\u2013205. doi:10.4314\/sjms.v5i3.62008, PubMed PMID: WOS:000453995400007.","DOI":"10.4314\/sjms.v5i3.62008"},{"key":"3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Panda AK, Rout S. Puttur kattu (bandage) \u2011 A traditional bone setting practice in South India. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2011;2(4):174EP\u20138EP. doi:10.4103\/0975-9476.90766, PubMed PMID: 364017409.","DOI":"10.4103\/0975-9476.90766"},{"key":"4","unstructured":"Udosen AM, Otei OO, Onuba O. Role of traditional bonesSetters in Africa: Experience in Calabar, Nigeria. Ann Afr Med. 2006;5(4):170EP\u2013173EP. PubMed PMID: 46947810."},{"key":"5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nwachukwu BU, Okwesili IC, Harris MB, Katz JN. Traditional bonesetters and contemporary orthopaedic fracture care in a developing nation: Historical aspects, contemporary status and future directions. Open Orthop J. 2011;5(101480491):20\u20136. doi:10.2174\/1874325001105010020.","DOI":"10.2174\/1874325001105010020"},{"key":"6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Edusei Anthony K, Owusu\u2011Ansah Frances E, Dogbe Joslin A, Morgan J, Sarpong K. Perspectives in musculoskeletal injury management by traditional bone setters in Ashanti, Ghana: Original research. Afr J Disabil. 2015;4(1):1\u20138. doi:10.4102\/ajod.v4i1.97.","DOI":"10.4102\/ajod.v4i1.97"},{"key":"7","unstructured":"Ali R, Tunio ZH, Ali SM, Baloch RA, Jokhio MF, Maher IK. Traditional bone setter\u2019s practice, complications; even in 21st century. J Liaquat Univ Med Health Sci. 2020;19(4):247EP\u201351EP. http:\/\/ojs.lumhs.edu.pk\/index.php\/jlumhs\/article\/view\/488, PubMed PMID: 2005738987."},{"key":"8","unstructured":"Chowdhury AM, Khandker HH, Mostafa AG. Why patients patronize traditional bone setters? Dinajpur Med Col J. January 2013;6(1):17\u201320."},{"key":"9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dada A, Giwa SO, Yinusa W, Ugbeye M, Gbadegesin S. Complications of treatment of musculoskeletal injuries by bone setters. West Afr J Med. 2009;28(1):43\u201347. doi:10.4314\/wajm.v28i1.48426","DOI":"10.4314\/wajm.v28i1.48426"},{"key":"10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abang IE, Asuquo J, Ngim NE, et al. Reasons for patronage of traditional bone setters. Nig J Surg. 2016;22(2):102\u2013106. doi:10.4103\/1117-6806.188993.","DOI":"10.4103\/1117-6806.188993"},{"key":"11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Diamond T, Ibeanusi S, Echem R. Traditional bone setters in Port Harcourt Nigeria: Perception, patronage and practice: A prospective cross\u2011sectional study. Br J Med Med Res. 2017;21(12):1\u20138. doi:10.9734\/BJMMR\/2017\/34332.","DOI":"10.9734\/BJMMR\/2017\/34332"},{"key":"12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Golge UH, Kaymaz B, Komurcu E, Eroglu M, Goksel F, Nusran G. Consultation of traditional bone setters instead of doctors: Is it a sociocultural and educational or social insurance problem?. Tropical Doctor. 2015;45(2):91EP\u201395EP. doi:10.1177\/0049475514566531, PubMed PMID: 603473182.","DOI":"10.1177\/0049475514566531"},{"key":"13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jibo AM, Muhammad AA, Muhammad S, et al. Prevalence and factors influencing the preference of traditional bone setting amongst patients attending orthopaedic clinics in Kano, Nigeria. Nig J Basic Clin Sci. 2021;18(2):114\u2013121. doi:10.4103\/njbcs.njbcs_57_21, PubMed PMID: WOS:000755078600010.","DOI":"10.4103\/njbcs.njbcs_57_21"},{"key":"14","unstructured":"Safari MB, Mirzatolooei F, Nozad A, Feizi AH. Complications of local bonesetters\u2019 interventions in orthopedic patients admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia during the second half of 2015 and follow up of their treatment outcome by orthopedic physician. Amazonia Investiga. 2019;8(18):157\u2013163. https:\/\/amazoniainvestiga.info\/index.php\/amazonia\/article\/view\/292"},{"key":"15","unstructured":"Covidence systematic review software. Veritas Health Innovation; 2025."},{"key":"16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lockwood C, Munn Z, Porritt K. Qualitative research synthesis: Methodological guidance for systematic reviewers utilizing meta\u2011aggregation. 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Afr Health Sci. 2021;21(1):418\u201326. doi:10.4314\/ahs.v21i1.52.","DOI":"10.4314\/ahs.v21i1.52"},{"key":"20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hamad H, Omer D, Abdelnabi R, Abdelgaleel A. Motives and consequences of musculoskeletal injuries management at traditional bone setting centers rather than hospital orthopedic departments in Khartoum, Sudan 2020. Afr Health Sci. 2024;24(2):384EP\u201394EP. doi:10.4314\/ahs.v24i2.39, PubMed PMID: 2030328889.","DOI":"10.4314\/ahs.v24i2.39"},{"key":"21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Khan I, Saeed M, Inam M, Arif M. Traditional bone setters: Preference and patronage. Prof Med J. 2015;22(9):1181\u20131185. doi:10.29309\/TPMJ\/2015.22.09.1132.","DOI":"10.29309\/TPMJ\/2015.22.09.1132"},{"key":"22","unstructured":"Kuubiere CB, Abass A, Majeed SF. Patients preference for traditional bonesetters in Northern Ghana. Religion. 2015;2:2\u20135."},{"key":"23","unstructured":"Moton RZ, Nawaz Z, Naseem M, Asghar S, Rajput IM, Khatti Z. Bonesetter treated neglected trauma, multicenter experience in central Karachi, Pakistan. Rawal Med J. 2021;46(4):887\u2013889. PubMed PMID: WOS:000708495800034."},{"key":"24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Onyemaechi NOC, Lasebikan OA, Elachi IC, Popoola SO, Oluwadiya KS. Patronage of traditional bonesetters in Makurdi, North\u2011Central Nigeria. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2015;9:275\u2013279. doi:10.2147\/PPA.S76877","DOI":"10.2147\/PPA.S76877"},{"key":"25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ruhinda SK. Reasons for patronage of traditional bone setting as an alternative to orthodox fracture treatment A case of Muleba District, Kagera Tanzania. Open Univ Tanzan. 2021;27(1):29\u201344. doi:10.61538\/huria.v27i1.867","DOI":"10.61538\/huria.v27i1.867"},{"key":"26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sayeed S, Yu K, Sibindi C, et al. 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