McKee et al. describe and report outcomes of a standardized four-step surgical protocol for the 'terrible triad' elbow injury — dislocation with radial head and coronoid fractures — in 36 consecutive patients. The study asks whether systematic repair of all injured structures enables early mobilization while reliably restoring elbow stability.
When you see a terrible triad, repair structures sequentially from deep to superficial — coronoid first, then radial head (fix or replace with metal, never simply excise), then lateral collateral ligament complex.
And target motion by postoperative day 1–10; this protocol restores stability in ~94% and achieves functional range of motion, but counsel patients that roughly 1 in 4 will need a second procedure.
McKee et al. describe and report outcomes of a standardized four-step surgical protocol for the 'terrible triad' elbow injury — dislocation with radial head and coronoid fractures — in 36 consecutive patients. The study asks whether systematic repair of all injured structures enables early mobilization while reliably restoring elbow stability.
When you see a terrible triad, repair structures sequentially from deep to superficial — coronoid first, then radial head (fix or replace with metal, never simply excise), then lateral collateral ligament complex.
And target motion by postoperative day 1–10; this protocol restores stability in ~94% and achieves functional range of motion, but counsel patients that roughly 1 in 4 will need a second procedure.