Effectiveness of Traditional Bone-Setting for Arthritis in West Africa: A Review

Nyambura Achieng M.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

                                                                              ABSTRACT
Traditional bone setters (TBS) remain important musculoskeletal care providers across West Africa. Their role is well documented for fractures, dislocations, and soft-tissue injuries, but their effectiveness in treating chronic degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory arthritis is far less clear. This review synthesizes the available literature on TBS practice in West Africa, examines reported outcomes and complications, explores reasons for continued patronage, and identifies gaps in evidence specifically regarding arthritis care. Published studies and reviews consistently report that TBS are widely used because of accessibility, lower cost, cultural acceptability, and perceived efficacy; however, most rigorous research focuses on acute trauma (fractures) rather than chronic joint disease. Observational and hospital-based series document substantial rates of complications (malunion, non-union, gangrene, chronic osteomyelitis) when TBS manages complex fractures, and expert statements call for improved engagement, training, and integration to reduce avoidable harm. There is a notable absence of controlled trials or longitudinal studies assessing clinical outcomes of TBS treatments for OA (pain, function, radiographic progression) or inflammatory arthritis; most evidence is anecdotal or derived from patient surveys. We conclude that while TBS may provide symptomatic relief and psychosocial benefits to some arthritis patients, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to support their effectiveness in modifying disease or reliably improving long-term function. Research priorities include prospective outcome studies for arthritis patients treated by TBS, implementation research on collaborative models with orthodox care, and culturally informed strategies to enhance referral pathways and patient safety

Keywords: Traditional bone setters, arthritis, osteoarthritis, West Africa, complementary medicine.

CITE AS: Nyambura Achieng M. (2026). Effectiveness of Traditional Bone-Setting for Arthritis in West Africa: A Review. INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 14(2):33-37.
https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRAS/2025/14.2.3337