Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Terrible Triad of the Elbow

Elbow Trauma

A 45-year-old woman falls onto an outstretched hand. She presents with a painful, swollen elbow that was reduced in the field by paramedics. X-rays after reduction show a radial head fracture (Mason III) and a coronoid fracture (Regan-Morrey Type II). The elbow redislocates when placed through range of motion testing in the splint. The lateral ligament complex is suspected to be torn. Regarding the terrible triad of the elbow:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The terrible triad consists of elbow dislocation, radial head fracture, and coronoid fracture; it re...

B

The coronoid is a critical anterior buttress preventing posterior subluxation; the Regan-Morrey clas...

C

The terrible triad includes elbow dislocation and olecranon fracture; the MCL fails first in the inj...

D

Surgical treatment follows a systematic approach: radial head fixation or replacement (restore later...

E

Early motion is essential to prevent stiffness (major complication); a hinged external fixator may b...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option