Acupuncture in Combination With “Sinews and Bones” Needle Therapy for the Treatment of Early Posttraumatic Nonossifying Elbow Stiffness: A Case Report

Abstract

Posttraumatic elbow stiffness frequently leads to elbow dysfunction in patients, resulting in significant disability in daily life. Currently, most surgical treatments for this condition are associated with postoperative recurrence, infections, and high costs, which collectively increase the social burden of the disease. This case study examines the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, a traditional Chinese treatment, for posttraumatic elbow stiffness. A 30-year-old man was diagnosed with traumatic elbow joint stiffness after the plaster fixation of his elbow fracture was removed for 20 days, exhibiting only 30° of elbow flexion, which severely limited his daily activities. Imaging examinations revealed no heterotopic ossification, confirming the diagnosis of posttraumatic elbow stiffness. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) at the time of diagnosis was 60. The patient underwent a treatment regimen of acupuncture combined with “sinews and bones” needle therapy for 6 weeks. No adverse events were reported during the treatment. After the therapy, the patient's elbow mobility improved to 120°, while the MEPS remained at 95. Remarkably, the patient was able to resume normal activities without recurrence during a 3-month follow-up period. This case suggests that the combination of acupuncture and “sinews and bones” needle therapy significantly enhances elbow joint mobility, offering a promising nonsurgical treatment alternative that may alleviate the economic burden on patients.