Terrible triad of the elbow with an ipsilateral Essex-Lopresti injury: Case report

Abstract

Terrible triad of the elbow and the Essex-Lopresti injury are both rare lesions with a historically poor clinical outcome. We present the case of a unique association of the two injurieswith an elbowdislocation, radial and coronoid process fractures and a distal radioulnar joint dislocation due to an interosseousmembrane rupture. The casewasmanaged with closed reduction of the elbow dislocation and distal radioulnar joint followed by open reduction and repair of the damaged structures in the elbow and an unloading of the interosseousmembrane. A high index of suspicion with a detailed examination of the elbow, forearm and wrist associated to a comprehensive imaging were mandatory for a complete diagnosis and an adequate treatment. Six months after the accident, the patient made a good recovery.