Terrible triad of the elbow

Case contributed by Leo Martinez , 25 Aug 2022
Diagnosis certain
Changed by Leo Martinez, 7 Sep 2022

Updates to Case Attributes

Status changed from draft to pending review.
Presentation was added:
Patient was involved in a motorcycle accident. Patient pressed the front brake and flipped over the handlebars. Patient fell on her outstretched bilateral arms.

References changed:

  • Sheehan S, Dyer G, Sodickson A, Patel K, Khurana B. Traumatic Elbow Injuries: What the Orthopedic Surgeon Wants to Know. Radiographics. 2013;33(3):869-88. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.333125176">doi:10.1148/rg.333125176</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23674780">Pubmed</a>
  • Bucknor M, Stevens K, Steinbach L. Elbow Imaging in Sport: Sports Imaging Series. Radiology. 2016;279(1):12-28. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2016150501">doi:10.1148/radiol.2016150501</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26989928">Pubmed</a>
  • Acosta Batlle J, Cerezal L, Márquez M et al. MRI of the Normal Elbow and Common Pathologic Conditions. Radiographics. 2020;40(2):468-9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.2020190134">doi:10.1148/rg.2020190134</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32125957">Pubmed</a>

Systems changed:

  • Trauma

Updates to Study Attributes

Findings was changed:

Single view lateral projection of the right elbow obtained during admission to the emergency department demonstrates posterior elbow dislocation, comminuted displaced fracture of the coronoid process, and comminuted intraarticular, displaced fracture of the radial head

Updates to Study Attributes

Findings was changed:

Frontal and lateral radiographic projections of the right elbow were obtained after a closed reduction attempt in the emergency department. There is a near-anatomic alignment of the elbow joint, comminuted displaced fracture of the coronoid process, and comminuted intraarticular displaced fracture of the radial head. 

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