Evaluation of the Functional Outcome of Surgical Treatment of Terrible Triad Fracture Dislocation of the Elbow

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Elhadra University Hospital, Egypt.

2 Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Elhadra University Hospital, Egypt

Abstract

Background
The terrible triad of the elbow is the name given to elbow dislocation associated with fractures of the coronoid process of the ulna and the radial head. Our objectives are that to evaluate the functional outcomes of patients with surgically treated terrible triad of the elbow.
Subjects and Methods
A retrospective evaluation was performed using the MEPS score (Mayo Elbow Performance Score) of patients diagnosed with terrible triad of the elbow who underwent surgical treatment.
Results
20 patients (fifteen men and five women) in the mean follow-up 6 months were evaluated. 65% excellent and 35% good results were obtained. The time elapsed until surgery, final flexion-extension range greater than 100° and flexion contracture of less than 30° were shown to have a statistically significant relationship with a good final clinical result.
Conclusion
Despite the severity of the injuries found in the terrible triad of the elbow, most of the patients evaluated here achieved elbow stability with good clinical results. The factors that led to better clinical results were surgery not more than 7 days after the injury, flexion-extension range greater than 100° and flexion contracture less than 30°.

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