[Progress in treatment of terrible triad of elbow].

OBJECTIVE

To review the injury mechanism and the treatment progress of terrible triad of the elbow, and to analyze the direction of further research.

METHODS

Related literature concerning terrible triad of the elbow was extensively reviewed and comprehensively analyzed.

RESULTS

The main treatment of terrible triad of the elbow is operation. The ultimate goal of treatment is to reconstruct sufficient stability of the elbow. The treatment includes fixation of the coronoid by suture, screw or plate; fixation of radial head by screw and plate, partial or complete replacement of the radial head; fixation of lateral collateral ligament and the medial collateral ligament by bone suture or anchors and the application of the external fixator. These surgical treatments have their own indications and advantages, most get satisfactory results.

CONCLUSION

Generally, surgery is needed to maintain the stability of the elbow for patients of terrible triad elbow. However, medial ligament repair or not, the choice of approach, and mechanism of injury still need further study.