Variant of the terrible triad of the elbow, a CASE report with a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION

The terrible triad described by Hotchkiss in 1996 is a complex lesion of the elbow, following a trauma combining forced valgus and external rotation. It is a lesion that puts the elbow at risk of developing complications such as instability, stiffness, or synostosis of the proximal radio-cubital joint.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a patient who suffered a closed trauma to the right elbow following a fall onto the palm of the hand with a valgus lateral rotation mechanism. The lesion assessment showed a B2 fracture of the distal humerus (AO classification) with a line splitting the capitulum in the frontal plane, a type 3 coronoid process fracture (Morrey/Odriscoll classification), and a posterolateral elbow dislocation. The surgical treatment followed the same principles as for the terrible triad, with a reconstruction of the lateral column by osteosynthesis of the humeral palate, followed by an internal approach for osteosynthesis of the coronoid process, with the restoration of a stable elbow without laxity in the frontal plane.

DISCUSSION: On the basis of the lesion mechanism, column theory, and the schematization of the constituent elements of elbow stability in a ring, certain lesions can be placed in the same box as the terrible triad of the elbow, which also complies with the same therapeutic implications.

CONCLUSION

Our observation underlines the possibility of the existence of lesions other than those described by Hotchkiss, which would have the same consequences: an unstable elbow with the risk of evolving into chronic instability or stiffness and whose management accepts the same management.