Nonoperative manipulative reduction with Chinese herbs for the treatment of a displaced olecranon fracture: A case report.

RATIONALE

Displaced olecranon fracture is a common injury following a fall or direct trauma to the elbow. There have been no reports of patients with a displaced olecranon fracture who have only received nonoperative manipulative reduction with Chinese herbs.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patient was a 64-year-old woman with a complex elbow injury that occurred in a traffic accident. The patient complained of severe, painful limitation of motion on straightening or bending.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with a displaced fracture of the left olecranon (type IIA olecranon fracture according to the Mayo classification system).

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent nonoperative manipulation with Chinese herbs.

OUTCOMES

The fracture was successfully reduced. After 3 to 4 months of follow-up, severe pain and disability in the elbow were improved following reduction of the left olecranon fracture in which there was no longer a displacement.

LESSONS

Nonoperative manipulative reduction performed by a well-trained physician with Chinese herbs may be a treatment option for displaced olecranon fractures.