Journal of Postgraduate Medicine Medknow Publications and Staff Society of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India ISSN: 0022-3859 EISSN: 0972-2823 Vol. 52, Num. 1, 2006, pp. 43-44

Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, Vol. 52, No. 1, January-March, 2006, pp. 43-44

Case Report

Terrible triad of the elbow: A case report of a new variant

Desai MM, Sonone SandeepV, Badve SA

Department of Orthopaedics. K. E. M. Hospital, Mumbai, India

Correspondence Address: Sandeep Sonone, E-mail: drsandeeps@hotmail.com

Code Number: jp06014

Abstract

Keywords: Capitellum, terrible triad variant, trochlea

Hotchkiss described "terrible triad of elbow" in 1996. It consisted of injury to the coronoid process, radial head, and collateral ligaments with posterior dislocation of the elbow. This term was used in recognition of high rate of complications such as instability, malunion, nonunion, and proximal radioulnar synostosis that this osteoligamentous injury was prone to. The case described in this communication had the triad involving coronoid fracture, posterior dislocation of the elbow without any ligamentous injury, and capitellum fracture (coronal shear fracture), which extended into the trochlea. The management of the terrible triad variant and challenges involved are also described.

Classically, capitellar fractures are described into three types, type 1(Hahn-Steinthal), type 2 (Kochers), and type 3 (comminuted). Types 1 and 2 are isolated capitellar fractures and, in fact, are very rare.[1] Ring et al. ,[2] in their series of 21 patients, described a new classification involving five types of fracture patterns of the capitellum. We describe a type of capitellum fracture in which the full thickness of the trochlea was involved contributing to elbow instability. This represented the type IV of Ring-Jupiter classification. We are presenting this case for its unique presentation and for its management, which appeared seemingly simple.

Case History

A 25-year-old female sustained multiple fractures, i.e., head injury, left zygomatic fracture, fracture ribs with pneumothorax, left subtrochanteric fracture, and bilateral lower end intra-articular fracture radius with left elbow injury [Figure - 1], while attempting to commit suicide. A trauma team attended to her and provided initial management of head injury and pneumothorax. The fracture management was carried out in three stages: The subtrochanteric fracture was fixed at a first stage with biological plating, bilateral lower end radius with capitellum fracture was fixed at the second stage, and at the third stage zygomatic fracture was fixed.

The capitellum fracture fixed through an open reduction procedure through a lateral approach. The fracture line extended well into the entire length of the trochlea and split the trochlea in the coronal plane, hinging on the lateral collateral ligament [Figure - 2]. The chip fracture of the coronoid process also contributed to instability of the elbow. Additional medial incision was taken to visualize the medial portion of the coronal fracture plane. Distraction of the joint was necessary to reduce the capitellar fragment. Radial head captured on the capitellar fragment to push it more proximally when we tried to reduce the elbow before aligning and stabilizing the fragment.[3] After reduction, definitive fixation was done with two 3.5 mm cortical screws used as lag screws and one 4 mm cancellous screw passed from medial to lateral [Figure - 1]. The medial collateral ligament was intact and coronoid fracture was left alone, as it was too small to be fixed. The lateral ulnar collateral ligament was attached to the large coronal capitellar fragment. It appeared structurally intact. The capitellum represented the lateral column injury, which replaced the radial head in the usual terrible triad. The anterior and middle columns are represented by the coronoid process and the capsule. The posterior capsule represented the posterior column. Injury thus completed the entire circle without compromising the major ligamentous complex. At the completion of procedure, the range and the stability of the elbow was checked. Elbow was stable up to 40° of flexion to full flexion.

Postoperatively, the elbow was immobilized in an above-elbow slab in 90° flexion and pronation. Gentle elbow range of motion exercises with extension block splint was initiated at 2 weeks. The patient was given indomethacin for 1 month to minimize the risk of formation of myositis ossificans. Radiological evaluation showed backing out of the screws at 3 months, which were taken off percutaneously to facilitate the range of motion exercises. The capitellum fragment tilted and shifted proximally medially though the elbow continued to remain stable. Postoperative radiograph did not show any heterotopic ossification. At the follow-up visit 6 months later, the patient had an useful range of 20°-100° range of movement at the elbow. Her supination, though, was restricted. She had full pronation from neutral position. The Mayo elbow performance score[4] was 60/100; which indicated a fair degree of success.

Discussion

The elbow joint is visualized as made up of four columns:

Anterior formed by coronoid process, brachialis, and anterior capsule.
Medial formed by medial collateral ligament, coronoid process, and medial condyle.
Lateral formed by radial head, capitellum, and lateral collateral ligament.
Posterior formed by olecranon process, triceps, and posterior capsule.
Bony articulation of the elbow joint is such that stability is greatest when flexion is less than 20° and more than 120° owing to deep engagement of articular surfaces. The radial head also provides 30° of the valgus stability and acts as a primary stabilizer when anteromedial collateral ligament is incompetent.

Shawn W. O'Driscoll[5],[6] described the stages of soft tissue disruption in elbow dislocation. The first stage is posterolateral rotational instability. The second stage is where the coronoid is perched against the bony articulation of the distal humerus. For elbow dislocation to occur, the circle of soft tissue disruption has to be completed. Soft tissue disruption starts on the lateral ulnar collateral ligament and completes on the medial ulnar collateral ligament.

The usual terrible triad of elbow consists of posterior dislocation of elbow, radial head fracture, and coronoid process fracture in which the bony as well as capsuloligamentous structures are disrupted, giving rise to instability. The new variant involved capitellar fracture instead of radial head fracture. It was large enough to jeopardize the stability of the elbow joint along with posterolateral dislocation of the elbow. This differed from the usual triad in that there was no major involvement of ligament complex along with it.

This variant does not need any ligament repair/reconstruction, whereas the usual terrible triad may need so if stability cannot be obtained between 60° and full flexion. Though the elbow was painless and stable, our case emphasizes the difficulty in obtaining the purchase of the capitellar fragment, and shared the complications of a terrible triad such as malunion and stiffness of the elbow as well as proximal radioulnar joint. We concur with recommendations made by McKee et al ., MD, regarding the need of extensile exposure in these particular patterns of capitellar fracture.[7]

References

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