Without an Orthopedist or Cast: The Unusual Way a Man with a Broken Leg Was Treated

A viral video from a government hospital in Bihar, India, shows a young man with a broken leg being treated with cardboard, ropes, and bandages instead of a cast. The hospital administration claims it is an acceptable emergency splint, but authorities have opened an investigation into the case.

A viral video from a government hospital in the state of Bihar, India, sparked an uproar on social media and in local media after it showed a young man with a broken leg being treated with cardboard from medicine packaging, ropes, and bandages instead of a cast. The young man, Kunal Kumar, a resident of one of the villages in the state, was injured on Monday evening in a motorcycle accident and suffered a fracture to his right leg. He was rushed by relatives and local residents to the district hospital. According to reports, staff attached two pieces of cardboard to both sides of the leg and tied them with rope and bandages, after which Kumar was referred to another hospital for further treatment. Asianet News reported that at the time, there was no orthopedic doctor or qualified medic present at the hospital to perform immobilization, and there were no materials for applying a cast. Dr. Abhinav Priyadarshi, the hospital superintendent, confirmed the shortage of staff and equipment but rejected the claim that the treatment was improper, saying that using available material as a splint is justified under medical protocol. Authorities have opened an investigation into the case.