Traditional bone setting technique world is very big. Here a common fracture- colles fracture locally known as “kozhikaluaththu murivu” (meaning fowl-neck-fracture) is chosen. Twenty genuine Vaidyars or indigenous healers, skilled in traditional bone setting techniques in treating the fracture, are chosen. They are from the three southern districts of Tamil Nadu where these traditional techniques have survived so far. Twenty patients who have fresh problem of colles fracture are identified. A detailed documentation of the traditional practices, the method of curing over the entire period of treatment and also the observations of the cure and improvement are made. A reference database of traditional sources of these traditional bone setting techniques is also developed in parallel to the documentation of the treating and curing techniques. The documentation is also done in digital format. There is ninety percent cure and high degree of improvement noticed in the treatment of fractures.

Patients Data:

Of the 20 patients 15 patients felt that they are completely cured whereas the physicians observed 12 patients as completely cured. Thus three patients had continued treatment some time even after they felt cured. “Marked improvement” from the original condition was felt by 3 patients. The health was observed by the physicians for six patients as . The three additional patients whom the physicians observed as with “marked improvement” actually felt themselves to be cured. Slight improvement was observed in three patients and the same patients also felt the same way. In terms of percentages 75 percent patients felt completely cured and 15 percent felt marked improvement and 10 percent felt slight improvement.

The above data shows that the cure and improvement has been felt by 90 percent of the patients and the same percentage of the patients were also observed by the physicians as having complete cure or marked improvement. This high synchronization between the feeling of the patients and observation of the physicians show that the treatment is effective and its effectiveness is actually felt by the patients and can be clinically observed. In a small percentage of difference of 15 percent the patients take the feeling of marked improvement as being cured which the physicians take enough care to rectify and make sure that they are fully cured.

Conclusion:

Traditional orthopedic practice (TROP) like other specialties of traditional knowledge is a neglected area. Lack of proper documentation of safety and efficacy, health seeking behaviour and lack of appropriate, systematic training programs and organizational support are some of the key challenges faced by TROP today.

There is no doubt that the Traditional Orthopaedic Practitioners are spread in the similar way in other parts of the country and whose services are indispensable at the rural level. This initial study has thrown up light on some of the strong aspects as well as weak aspects of the bone setting traditions in selected locations of the country. This study is helpful to know the extent and diversity of TROP in selected area in the country. In order to make more rigorous conclusions there is a need to further look into the critical aspects in traditional orthopaedics by a multi disciplinary team consisting of medical doctors, community health specialists, sociologists and economists. A participatory approach of assessment will pave the way to dialogue, share and learn for the Ayurveda, Siddha and modern orthopedicians as well as the traditional orthopaedic practitioners.

There is a need to critically appraise and recognize the contributions of these practitioners to the public health. With appropriate revitalization interventions current gaps in these practices can be addressed. This will be a big step towards making a more affordable and accessible community health care in the area of orthopaedics in the country.

Dr. V. Ganapathi The Study was conducted by Dr. V. Ganapathi. M.D Siddha. Project Coordinator and Principal Investigator for VK-NARDEP Siddha R & D. He is also the head of Siddha Herbal Research Institute at Thirunelveli. He has conducted many research projects and also written many books on Siddha medicine. He has organized the first national symposium on Varma medicine. His recent book is 'Sacred  Medicine' (இறை மருத்துவம்: in Tamil). This project was sponsored by  CCRAS, - Ayush, New Delhi.

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