Terrible triad of the elbow--role of the coronoid process: a case report

R Seijas, N Joshi, A Hernandez, JM Catalan, X Flores
Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Unit, Hospital de Traumatologia Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
JM Nieto
Anaesthesiology Service, Hospital de Traumatología Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain

Posterior dislocation of the elbow joint with fracture of both the radial head and coronoid process, the so-called 'terrible triad', is a complex and difficult-to-treat injury. We report a case of a 34-year-old man with terrible triad of the elbow and associated injuries secondary to a fall. The patient was treated with radial head osteosynthesis, resection of the coronoid process fragments, and stabilisation of the ulnohumeral joint by Kirschner wire transfixation. The sequence of treatment steps is provided. The priority for treating multiple injuries should be established. The integrity of the coronoid process is essential for providing the elbow with maximum functionality.