The 'terrible triad' of the elbow consists of posterior dislocation associated with fractures of which two structures?
- A Radial head and coronoid process ✓
- B Radial head and capitellum
- C Olecranon and lateral epicondyle
- D Coronoid process and medial epicondyle
Correct answer: A. Radial head and coronoid process
Explanation
The terrible triad is an elbow posterolateral rotatory dislocation with fracture of the radial head and fracture of the coronoid process. Both fractures destabilise the ring of the elbow: the radial head is a secondary valgus stabiliser and the coronoid blocks posterior translation, so untreated cases progress to recurrent instability and arthrofibrosis. The capitellum, although adjacent to the radial head, is not part of the triad, which eliminates option B.
Reference: Miller's Review of Orthopaedics, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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