Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Thighbone fractures are the most common orthopedic fractures. Non:union: fracture of these bones is more important because these bones bear the weight of the body and can impose financial, spiritual, emotional and social burdens on the individual and society. Some reasons of non:union: fracture are: Instability and immobility of the fractured fragments; insufficient blood supply to the fractured site; and damage to periosteum and necrosis of periosteal cells caused by insufficient blood supply. In pathologic fractures, non:union: fracture is more common and its prevalence in non-pathologic types is 2.8%.
Non:union: fractures occur in several forms including atrophic non:union: and hypertrophic non:union: where the tip of broken bones becomes rounded, white and stiff, and has not shown any sign of healing for about 9 months after fracture. :union: fracture treatment in modern medicine includes nonsurgical methods such as physiotherapy, ultrasonic or electromagnetic waves or injection of maltose-binding protein for stimulation of bone regeneration, while surgical treatments are for fixing fractured parts internally and externally, and eventually bone graft in the form of allografts and autografts. Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) is an ancient and famous forms of traditional medicine that considers the disruption in the balance of the four humours in the body as the root cause of disease, and establishes a treatment by balancing one’s four humours and temperament.
2. Case report
The patient was a 29-year-old man who suffered thighbone and tibia fractures in an accident 8 years ago. The tibia fracture healed after one year with the help of surgery and bone grafting, but the thighbone that had been broken in the middle with a 2-cm gap between the two ends of the broken bone, did not heal. During these 8 years, different types of plaques and pinions are performed as well as allograft and autograft transplantation, using bone powder and prescription of different supplements, vitamins and minerals. All the paraclinical tests results including glucose, thyroid and anemia, were all normal. In addition to the lack of non:union: and transplant rejection, the tip of fractured bone was gangrenous whose necrosis was confirmed by the fractured bone biopsy. The patient had become depressed after these years. After visiting him home and getting consent, he was treated with ITM method. First, phlegm was diagnosed and hence, he was asked to avoid from eating anything that can exacerbate it including food and drinks with cool and wet temperament, and replace them by those with warm and wet temperament such as egg yolk, milk, honey, saffron and ginger powder. Depression is treated with royal jelly and mummies are prescribed to control pain and infection. Cambodian syrup, fractionated sweat, and Indian Jalap capsule and flu powder were other medications prescribed for treatment. Leech therapy was other method used in the late stages of treatment.
3. Results
After 6-7 months of treatment, new bones were seen at the fracture site, the gangrene areas were completely resolved, and the patient could stand on his feet with the help of internal hip pinning. Positive effect of treatment was also included the healing of the peroneal nerve injury in the left leg which had been caused by accident and bone fracture. The patient's depression was also relieved and he continued following the treatment process. Moreover, by correcting the patient's temperament, his digestive status improved and complemented the treatment process.
4. Conclusion
ITM believes that four humours control all the actions and powers of the body and performs it with the help of the main organs of the body, i.e. heart, brain and liver. Strengthening these humours is the main treatment approach in ITM. One of the important factors affecting the humours of the body is one's mood and mental state, and our patient had to be treated for depression and impulsivity in order to strengthen his humours. With this attitude, the modification of the temperament became the most important issue which is the first line of treatment for abstinence from which disturb the balance between four humours. The basic of treatment in ITM is creating balance between these humours. Therefore, in our patient, the predominance of moisture and phlegm had to be treated with abstinence and the use of medications such as fractionated sweat, and Indian Jalap capsule and flu powder. As proper nutrition for bone strength is considered in modern medicine, ITM has broader perspective towards it; therefore, we recommend the consumption of milk and honey and mummies rich in minerals necessary for bone. With these measures and lifestyle modifications, the patient can be treated. Such non-invasive, low-cost therapy can help modern medicine and help improve the quality of life of people by reducing the financial and spiritual costs of surgery.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
A written informed consent was obtained from the patient for treatment.
Funding
This study received financial support from Booali Traditional Medicine Clinic.
Authors' contributions
All authors had equal contribution in preparing this paper.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the patient and the staff of Booali Traditional Medicine Clinic for their valuable cooperation and support.