Terrible Triad Injury in a Skeletally Immature Patient: A Case Report.

CASE: A 7-year-old girl presented with an elbow terrible triad injury (coronoid fracture, Salter-Harris IV radial head fracture, and lateral collateral ligament avulsion) diagnosed after magnetic resonance imaging was obtained to evaluate subtle subluxation on radiographs. The patient underwent physeal-sparing fixation using the anconeus-extensor carpi ulnaris interval. One year postoperatively, she had full, stable symmetric range of motion compared with the contralateral side without complication.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric terrible triad injuries are rare, are easily missed, and have poor results after late reconstruction. Subtle radiographic abnormalities may benefit from evaluation with advanced imaging since early diagnosis and treatment can lead to excellent results as demonstrated in this case.