Open AccessTerrible triad of the elbow and associated variants: a systematic review
Author(s) -
Giovanna Medina,
R Keller,
Orlando D. Sabbag,
Luke S. Oh
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
jses reviews, reports, and techniques
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2666-6391
DOI - 10.1016/j.xrrt.2021.10.004
Subject(s) - elbow , medicine , subluxation , concomitant , surgery , range of motion , physical therapy , pathology , alternative medicine
The terrible triad of the elbow (TTE) is a complex injury consisting of simultaneous elbow dislocation or subluxation, radial head fracture, and coronoid fracture. During the initial assessment of a TTE, the typical severity of presenting pain, swelling, and limited range of motion may limit the ability to perform a thorough physical examination and thus divert a clinician's attention away from additional injuries to the ipsilateral upper extremity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the literature for reported cases of concomitant ipsilateral upper extremity injuries associated with a TTE and discuss various strategies to increase clinician awareness to avoid underdiagnosis and missed diagnoses.