To study the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine therapy based on the theory of miscellaneous diseases and hidden pathogens in the treatment of elderly patients with lower extremity fractures complicated with pulmonary infection.

132 elderly patients with lower extremity fractures complicated with pulmonary infection who were admitted to Sichuan Province Orthopedic Hospital from March 2023 to January 2025 were selected and evenly divided into two groups by random single-blind method, including control group (66 cases, conventional western medicine therapy) and trial group (66 cases, traditional Chinese medicine therapy based on the theory of miscellaneous diseases and hidden pathogens in addition to control group). The TCM symptoms scores, clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), detection indicators, course of infection and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

After treatment, the scores of dimensions of primary syndromes and secondary syndromes in the two groups of patients were decreased (P<0.05), and the scores in trial group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of dimensions of CPIS were reduced in the two groups of patients (P<0.05), and the reductions in trial group were higher compared to control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of inflammatory factors in both groups of patients were declined (P<0.05), and the levels were lower in trial group than those in control group (P<0.05). The course of infection in trial group was shorter than that in control group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the occurrence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).

For elderly patients with lower extremity fractures complicated with pulmonary infection who are differentiated as spleen deficiency and phlegm dampness and blood stasis, the implementation of traditional Chinese medicine therapy based on the theory of miscellaneous diseases and hidden pathogens is helpful to alleviate the symptoms of body discomfort, relieve the degree of pulmonary infection, reduce the levels of inflammatory factors, and shorten the time of antibiotic use, with high safety.