Traditional health practitioners continue to treat fractures using traditional methods. The clinical impact of fractures is substantial with some patients suffering long-term disability or deformity if the fracture was not treated adequately. If traditional health practitioners had a guide to assess, manage, treat and/or refer patients, the rehabilitation outcomes could improve for the patient. The aim of this study was to develop an interventional tool for the management of fractures by Zulu and Māori practitioners in the traditional setting. All the traditional health practitioners (38/38, 100%) surveyed in South Africa and New Zealand were aware of the serious impact that fractures could have on a patient and indicated that a tool would be beneficial in the management of fractures. By analysing the information on how fractures were identified, diagnosed and treated with traditional medicines by traditional Zulu herbalists (Izinyanga) in Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa and experts in Māori medicine (TohungaRongoā) in New Zealand, an interventional tool adapted from an existing Ayurvedic guideline for the management and treatment of fractures specifically for Zulu and Māori traditional health practitioners, was developed. The modified interventional tool outlines an introduction to fractures, types of fractures, causative factors, patient presentation, examination of the injury, a suggested management plan, traditional Zulu and Māori medicine treatment, a dietary plan, supportive rehabilitation measures and expected outcomes post injury. The interventional tool on the management of a patient who presents with a suspected fracture may be beneficial to traditional health practitioners, biomedically-trained health practitioners and patients as well which would improve patient outcomes in the management of fractures. The tool may also serve as a valuable source of information for incorporating traditional medicine practices into mainstream public health systems in South Africa and New Zealand. Efforts should be made to distribute this tool (once translated into isiZulu and Te Reo Māori) to traditional health practitioners. It would be beneficial for traditional health practitioners in both countries to simultaneously attend a basic biomedical training course on the management of fractures.

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