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.