What did the study look at?
The "terrible triad" of the elbow is a severe injury in which several structures of the elbow are damaged together. In the patients in this study, the coronoid process fracture, the radial head fracture and the lateral ligament complex of the elbow were all treated in the same operation. The study aimed to evaluate the results of fixing the coronoid fracture with retrograde screws in this injury.
How was it done?
Patients treated between 2008 and 2012 were reviewed. This is a small patient series without a comparison group.
- Six patients were men and two were women; mean age was 44.5 (21-62) and mean follow-up 25.25 months (8-50).
- Using the Regan and Morrey classification, 6 fractures were Type 3 and 2 were Type 2.
- All patients were operated on through a single incision on the outer side of the elbow.
- The coronoid fracture was reduced from the front and fixed with screws passed percutaneously from the back: a single 4.5 mm screw in 3 patients and two 3.5 mm screws in 5 patients.
- For the radial head fractures, mini and micro cannulated screws were used in 4 patients and anatomical radial head plates in 4 patients.
- The lateral ligament complex was repaired in all patients using a bone tunnel technique.
- Outcomes were assessed with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score.
What did it find?
- All fractures healed, with a mean healing time of 4 months (3-6).
- At the last visit, the mean active elbow bending-straightening range was 108.2° (70°-130°).
- The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 87.5 (70-100).
The authors' conclusion
The authors reported that retrograde screw fixation of coronoid fractures in the terrible triad gave them stable fixation.
This conclusion is based on a series of 8 patients without a comparison group. Because the full text could not be accessed, any limitations stated by the authors are not included in this summary.
Reference
Isik C, Tahta M, Aksekili M, Firat A, Tecimel O, Gürsoy S, Sahin A, Bozkurt M. 2015. Retrograde Screw Fixation Results of Coronoid Fractures in Terrible Triad. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research (now Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research) 8(9):802-805.
Free full text: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research
This summary is based on the article's abstract.
This article summarises a published scientific paper for general information; it does not replace an examination or a personal medical assessment. Please consult your doctor about your symptoms.
