Orthopaedic and trauma specialists attending the 47th Annual Scientific Conference of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, called for Nigeria to adopt multidisciplinary, patient centred care for traumatic and musculoskeletal injuries, saying successful surgery alone often does not restore a patient’s life and livelihood, according to Vanguard.
The conference theme was “Multidisciplinary Team Care in the Management of Musculoskeletal Diseases” and the sub-theme focused on “Burn Injuries”, the report said. Speakers said care should span diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration, and involve surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, psychologists and pharmacists.
Representing NOHIL’s Medical Director at the opening, the hospital’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr F.C. Nwachukwu, said the era when one doctor could manage an injury from start to finish had passed. He told delegates that complex injuries now demand coordinated team effort and that outcomes improve when multiple professionals share responsibility and planning, Vanguard reported (Vanguard).
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Adedamola Dada of Redeemer’s Health Village argued the true measure of treatment is the patient’s return to normal life, not only technical success on X-rays. He used the example of a young motor accident victim whose fractures could be fixed but who might still be unable to work, support a family or access his home because of social and environmental barriers, Vanguard reported.
Dada urged that multidisciplinary care begin at first presentation, with shared goals and treatment plans. He called for leadership commitment, clear protocols, regular multidisciplinary meetings, electronic medical records and digital imaging to allow teams to share information. He also recommended measuring and publishing patient outcomes and involving families and caregivers in decisions, Vanguard said.
On burns, Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr Ayodele Olukayode Iyun of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, said burn injuries remain a major public health concern and that the pattern of causes is changing, with domestic gas explosions increasingly responsible for serious burns. He told the conference that gas-explosion patients were being seen almost weekly at UCH, Vanguard reported.
Iyun warned that children under five are particularly vulnerable to burns, with scalds common among that age group while adults experience more flame burns. He said severe burns can affect multiple body systems and require early assessment of airway, breathing and circulation, as well as appropriate fluid resuscitation, Vanguard reported.
The plastic surgeon also advised against inappropriate first aid practices. He urged cooling burns with running water for about 20 minutes and warned people not to apply toothpaste, eggs, butter, oil or baking powder, and not to put ice directly on burns. He advised seeking medical care when injuries are extensive or involve inhalation, the report said.
Speakers stressed that social and economic factors influence recovery. They gave the example of patients who lose jobs after injury and may need occupational rehabilitation or support to transition to other work rather than being discharged once fractures unite, Vanguard reported.
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