Chronic Complex elbow fracture dislocation: Restoration of elbow function with ORIF and radial head replacement, a case report with long term follow up

INTRODUCTION: The dislocation of the elbow joint to the posterior or postero-lateral region accompanied by fractures in the radial head or neck and coronoid process of the Ulna is known as a terrible triad injury of the elbow (TTI). IMPORTANCE: This injury presents as unique challenge for orthopedic surgeons due to elbow instability and stiffness, making the surgical intervention more difficult than usual. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old man suffered from polytrauma, including a pelvis fracture, a left humerus shaft fracture, and left ulna shaft fracture. An open reduction and internal fixation were administered as a treatment option. However, during a follow-up examination four months later, a missed fracture dislocation of the right elbow was discovered. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The complex surgery required open reduction of the chronic dislocated joint, release of the triceps, resection of the radial head, replacement, bone grafting of the coronoid, reconstruction of the coronoid, and application of a spanning external fixation. The injury was complex, consisting of coronoid fractures, olecranon, a proximal third of the Ulna, and radial head malunion with heterotrophic ossification around the elbow joint. CONCLUSION: After seven years, our patient had a full range of motion in elbow flexion with 20–25 lags in extension. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was 100 and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score was 0.