Draft of a national arthroplasty registry prototype in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

INTRODUCTION

Medical registries are structured tools for collecting, monitoring, and analyzing clinical data for epidemiological purposes, as well as for improving patient care. In the field of orthopaedics, arthroplasty registries help monitor implant performance, identify complications, and standardize surgical practices. In Burkina Faso, despite the increase in the number of joint replacements and epidemiological features such as sickle cell disease, no national registry exists. This work aims to establish a prototype of a registry tailored to local realities.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, combining a literature review to assess the existing situation and a questionnaire survey administered to orthopaedic surgeons in Burkina Faso. The analysis was conducted with Python 3.12.3, integrating descriptive statistics, visualizations, and synthesis of functional expectations.

RESULTS

To date, there is no structured system for monitoring orthopaedic implantable devices at the national level. Orthopedists during the survey expressed the need for a centralized, secure, and accessible system, allowing the traceability of implants, the monitoring of complications, and the production of reports that can guide the choice of prostheses. Priority features include web and smartphone access, prosthesis survival statistics, and implant selection recommendations. The main constraints identified are the lack of a homogeneous IT infrastructure and limited financial resources. Based on the needs collected, a prototype was modeled, including UML diagrams, specifications, and web and smartphone models.

CONCLUSION

The establishment of a national arthroplasty registry is perceived as a strategic lever by practitioners to improve the quality of care and strengthen the surveillance of implantable devices. The prototype is intended to be a contextual, secure, and scalable solution. A pilot phase is recommended, with strong institutional support (Ministry of Health, National Orthopedics society) and participatory governance to ensure user buy-in and the sustainability of the registry.