Rehabilitation considerations in the management of terrible triad injury to the elbow

Abstract

An elbow dislocation associated with a radial head and coronoid fractures is termed a terrible triad. This injury almost always renders the elbow unstable requiring surgical intervention. The primary goal of surgery is to stabilize the elbow to permit early motion to prevent stiffness. Recent literature has improved our understanding of elbow anatomy and biomechanics as well as the pathoanatomy of this injury. This article reviews key concepts that will allow the surgeon and therapist to apply an systematic rehabilitation approach when managing such injuries.