Successful Management of Severe Multi-System Comorbidities (Coronary Heart Disease, Recurrent Stroke, COVID-19 Pneumonia, and Ankle Osteoarthritis) in an 80-Year-Old Patient Using Neo-Chinese Medicine: A Case Report

Abstract Background Managing extreme multi-morbidity in very elderly patients presents a therapeutic dead-end in modern medicine, as single-target interventions often exacerbate other conditions. We report a case of an 80-year-old male with severe coronary artery disease, recurrent stroke, COVID-19 pneumonia (white lung), and severe ankle osteoarthritis, who achieved comprehensive functional recovery following Neo-Chinese Medicine treatment. Case Presentation: The patient had a history of acute myocardial infarction with two coronary stent implantations, recurrent cerebral infarctions (including thalamic infarction) with tremors, and severe bilateral ankle osteoarthritis with joint effusion. Prior to seeking our treatment, he was evaluated at several top-tier hospitals in Shenyang, where he was advised to return to a local hospital for conservative management due to his advanced age and complex comorbidities. In 2022–2023, he developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia (white lung) and respiratory insufficiency. Following Neo-Chinese Medicine treatment, his pulmonary symptoms completely resolved. His resting tremors ceased, and limb muscle strength and tone returned to normal, indicating the resolution of suspected Parkinsonism. Notably, his lower limb edema (secondary to venous valve insufficiency) disappeared within 8 days. Regarding ankle osteoarthritis, after 4 days of recent outpatient treatment, his daily walking capacity increased from 2,400 to 3,400 steps without symptoms, and he completely discarded his resting stool and specialized therapeutic socks. Conclusion Neo-Chinese Medicine demonstrated remarkable efficacy in managing extreme multi-system comorbidities in this elderly patient. By remodeling the local microcirculatory microenvironment, this integrative approach achieved simultaneous resolution of pulmonary, neurological, vascular, and musculoskeletal symptoms, challenging the conventional single-disease treatment paradigm.