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.